Donated Dental Services Honors Long Time Benefactor Delta Dental

PROVIDENCE, RI – (October 16, 2012) After a car accident in 1980 left him battered and bruised, “Michael” faced a lifetime of physical difficulty. Because of his inability to work, Michael’s bills stacked up and his limited income went to the basics. Michael’s dental health also suffered during that time. But there was hope. Thanks to Donated Dental Services of Rhode Island, Michael had a chance to change his dental health situation – and actually smile. Donated Dental provided Michael with a general dentist, an oral surgeon and lab work all free of charge.

Michael’s life has completely changed. He’s thankful to Donated Dental Services, an organization that provides free dental care and lab work to citizens with disabilities, elderly, medically fragile or those who otherwise do not have access to dental care. Dental treatment is performed by volunteer dentists in private dental offices.

And Donated Dental Services is thankful for the more than $100,000 in donations from its long-term sponsor, Delta Dental of Rhode Island. Donated Dental recently honored Delta Dental with an award of appreciation at a ceremony at the dental insurer’s corporate offices in Providence.

“Delta Dental’s annual gift has become imperative to sustain the program throughout the years,” said Donated Dental President Dr. Martin C. Nager. “On behalf of the thousands of people served through

Donated Dental, we thank Delta Dental. Their annual sponsorship is truly an investment in the restoration of the health and dignity of thousands of Rhode Island citizens.”

Delta Dental President & CEO Joseph A. Nagle said that the insurer came up with its Challenge Grant program back in 2003. Today, Delta Dental donates 50 cents for every dollar Rhode Island dentists donate to the organization. According to Donated Dental, every dollar it receives translates into $9 in free services for its patients. And, Rhode Island dentists – who also volunteer their time in private offices – are the largest financial contributors to Donated Dental.

“The Donated Dental Services program fills an important role in the state,” said Delta Dental’s Nagle. “The dental community has been responsive to our Challenge Grant program, and also with donating their time and services to Rhode Islanders without access to basic dental care.”

Since Donated Dental’s inception in 1989, Rhode Island dentists and labs have donated more than $4.3 million worth of comprehensive treatment for more than 2,500 state residents. More than 190 Rhode Island dentists and 65 labs provide donated services across the state.

ABOUT DONATED DENTAL SERVICES:

Donated Dental is part of the Dental Life Network, a national non-profit network of 15,000 volunteer dentists and 3,200 volunteer labs that provide free, comprehensive dental care to the elderly, disabled or medically at- risk. Nationally, the program has provided more than $200 million and has served 106,000 patients over the past 25 years.

ABOUT DELTA DENTAL OF RHODE ISLAND:

Delta Dental of Rhode Island is the state’s largest dental insurer. The Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries administer dental benefits for more than 700,000 members. The mission of Delta Dental is to improve the dental health of the people of Rhode Island by providing well-managed, high quality and affordable dental care products which are both financially viable and responsive to marketplace needs.