16 New States Added to AARP Dental Insurance Program; 50-plus Population in 38 States Now Has Access to Affordable Dental Coverage.

WASHINGTON -- The AARP Dental Insurance Plan announced today the addition of 16 new states, which expands affordable dental coverage to millions of AARP members and their families.

Initially released in 21 states and the District of Columbia last September, the AARP Dental Insurance Plan, designed exclusively for 50-plus Americans, now covers 38 states, including newly approved California, Florida, Illinois and Washington state. Plans are to make the program available to all 35 million AARP members across the country by the end of 2005.

The new states also include: Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina and Virginia.

Featuring comprehensive family coverage and the freedom to choose any licensed dentist, the AARP Dental Insurance Plan is managed through subsidiary AARP Services, and administered by Delta Dental Insurance Company, which underwrites it with affiliates Dentegra Insurance Company and Dentegra Insurance Company of New England. It targets the millions of 50-plus Americans who face losing dental coverage upon retirement.

"There is an increasingly critical need for affordable dental insurance for 50-plus Americans," said Dawn Sweeney, president of AARP Services, Inc. "AARP is devoted to ensuring that Americans have affordable coverage and access to quality healthcare. This offering is a direct response to our members' needs and desires for better products and services."

According to the landmark U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Oral Health, approximately 60 percent of Americans older than 50 have dental insurance, but most will lose this coverage when they retire and face fixed or reduced incomes.

The health implications for post-retirement dental care are significant, said Harold C. Slavkin, DDS, dean of the University of Southern California School of Dentistry and one of the chief architects of the landmark Surgeon General's report, released in 2000.

"Medicare does not cover routine dental services and, in most states, neither does Medicaid," he said. "With continued dental care, those who are 50-plus can avoid a myriad of health problems, including tooth loss, gum disease and mouth cancers. With continued care, we can all enjoy a robust lifestyle and a wide range of foods, communicate effectively, maintain self-esteem and meet our social responsibilities within our family and community."

The AARP Dental Insurance Plan provides immediate coverage for most preventive, diagnostic and basic restorative services, as well as endodontics (root canal treatment) and oral surgery (extractions). After 12 months, coverage expands to include major restorations, periodontics (gum treatment) and prosthodontics (dentures).

"We've had a tremendous response following the initial rollout of the program," said Dr. Lowell Daun, vice president of Delta Dental Insurance Company. "Interest has been high in approved states, and we have received inquiries from all across the country. We are working toward having the plan available to all AARP members before the end of the year."

Those interested in the coverage may contact the AARP Dental Insurance Plan for more information at www.deltadentalins.com/aarp or call toll-free at [phone] to enroll. AARP membership is required for enrollment.

Note: Coverage has been available in the following states since September 2004: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

About AARP/AARP Services, Inc.

AARP is a non-profit, non-partisan membership organization dedicated to making life better for people 50 and older. AARP provides information and resources; engages in legislative, regulatory and legal advocacy; assists members in serving their communities; and offers a wide range of unique benefits, special products and services for its members. These include AARP The Magazine, published bi-monthly; AARP Bulletin, a monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, a quarterly newspaper in Spanish; NRTA Live and Learn, a quarterly newsletter for 50-plus educators; and AARP's web site, www.aarp.org. AARP staffs offices in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.

AARP Services, Inc. (ASI), founded in 1999, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AARP. AARP Services manages the wide range of products and services that are offered as benefits to AARP's 35 million members. The offers span health and financial products, travel and leisure products, and life event services. Specific products include Medicare supplemental insurance; automobile and homeowners insurance; member discounts on rental cars, cruises, vacation packages and lodging; special offers on technology and gifts; life insurance; a credit card; pharmacy services; alternative health services; legal services; and long-term care insurance. AARP Services' responsibilities include developing new products, managing products and services, marketing, creating and maintaining partnership and sponsorship relationships, and developing and managing AARP's award-winning web site, www.aarp.org.

About Delta Dental Insurance Company and the holding company system that includes Delta Dental of California, New York and Pennsylvania

Delta Dental Insurance Company, Dentegra Insurance Company, and Dentegra Insurance Company of New England, which together underwrite the AARP Dental Insurance Plan, are affiliated with a larger holding company system that includes Delta Dental of California, New York and Pennsylvania. This holding company system last year posted $4.3 billion in consolidated gross revenues, and collectively covers nearly 20 million Americans in a variety of fee-for-service, PPO and HMO dental programs throughout the country. Regionally, Delta Dental of Pennsylvania administers benefits for the Delta Plans and affiliated operations in the District of Columbia, along with Maryland, New York and West Virginia.

The AARP Dental Insurance Plan specifically will be administered from two linked operational centers; one in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, near Harrisburg; the other in Rancho Cordova, near Sacramento, California.

Staffing will be increased at both locations as enrollment in the AARP Dental Insurance Plan builds.

Available:

--Program Background

--Fact Sheet

--Expert Interviews/Bios