Delta Dental of IL News Releases SIU Dental School Clinic Dedication

January 5, 2009

Delta Dental of Illinois' President and CEO Participates
In SIU Dental School Clinic Dedication
Clinic Named Delta Dental of Illinois Advanced Care Wing

LISLE, Illinois - September 27, 2006 - Delta Dental of Illinois' gift of $250,000 will ensure the newly dedicated Southern Illinois University (SIU) School of Dental Medicine's Main Clinic is fully equipped to meet the needs of its patients. Part of Delta Dental of Illinois' mission is to improve the oral health of the communities it serves. This greant futhers this mission. A prominent feature of the addition is a pediatric dentistry bay, which includes four operatories dedicated to pediatric dentistry.

During dedication ceremonies yesterday at the Alton, Illinois, facility, Lisle-based Delta Dental of Illinois's Dr. Robert E. Dennison, president and chief executive officer, said the grant fits perfectly with the company's mission.

"Supporting the expansion of the SIU School of Dental Medicine's clinic is a wonderful opportunity for Delta Dental of Illinois to help improve the oral health of Illinois citizens," said Dennison. "We're delighted that our gift will help make the Advanced Care Wing a state-of-the-art facility."

The Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine in Alton held a dedication ceremony to launch its Advanced Care Wing, the 6,400-square-foot wing expansion, which provides space for 24 more clinical "operatories" and a new classroom. The Advanced Care Wing (on the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine's Main Clinic) allows general dentistry and specialty disciplines, including periodontics and endodontics, to be taught in one place. Before the wing was added, classes in those disciplines were taught in two different buildings on the campus.

The wing has been named the Delta Dental of Illinois Advanced Care Wing in DDIL's honor.

Speakers at the dedication ceremony included Illinois Sen. William Haine of Alton, Illinois Rep. Renée Kosel of New Lenox, SIU President Glenn Poshard, and SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift.

Dr. Dennison was a featured speaker as well. "Education and access to care play key roles in improving oral health," Dennison said. "The School obviously does important work on both fronts, greatly benefiting the community. We are proud to support the School and its good work by doing what we can to help provide better education to its students and improved care to its patients."

Delta Dental of Illinois is a not-for-profit dental service corporation specializing in providing comprehensive, easy-to-use and cost-effective benefits to over one million employees and family members in more than 2,500 employee groups throughout Illinois. Its mission includes improving the oral health of the communities it serves. Based In Lisle, Illinois, Delta Dental of Illinois offers an array of extensive nationwide network-based managed fee-for-service, PPO and dental HMO plans.

# # #