Growing Need for Dental Care Being Met Through Head Start and Horizon/Mercy Program

RED BANK, N.J., March 5, 2002 -

Approximately 125 Monmouth County Head Start employees learned the latest information on the link between general health and oral health during a dental health training session. Monmouth County Head Start is a comprehensive child development program serving low-income families in Monmouth County, N.J. The training program took place on Feb. 22 at the Head Start headquarters in Red Bank, N.J.

Co-sponsored by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and Horizon/Mercy, New Jersey's largest managed healthcare organization serving the publicly insured, the dental health training session was led by Dr. George McMurray, president and CEO of Horizon Dental.

"Recent studies have indicated a connection between general health and oral health, such as individuals with gum disease also having diabetes, heart disease and stroke, and pre-term and low birth-weight babies," says McMurray. "Even though it has not been determined how they are connected, or if one actually leads to another, we need to educate people about the association between general health and oral health."

"Head Start had expressed interest in having Horizon/Mercy, in partnership with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, give Head Start's employees an overview on dental health," says Dr. Velvet G. Miller, president and chief executive officer of Horizon/Mercy. "Dentistry is a vital healthcare need of all children and Horizon/Mercy is pleased to help Head Start facilitate regular dental appointments for its children."

Horizon/Mercy is New Jersey's largest managed healthcare organization serving the publicly insured, providing healthcare services to more than 270,000 people in all 21 New Jersey counties. With headquarters located in Trenton, N.J., the organization is a partnership of Horizon Healthcare of NJ, Inc., a subsidiary of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield (HBCBS), and Mercy Health Plan, a subsidiary of Mercy Health System.