June 10, 2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Daphne Colangelo or Carol Chernack
Horizon/Mercy
609-538-0700 exts. 5153 and 5290

Concerned for Children's Oral Health
Horizon/Mercy Partners for Education and Outreach

TRENTON, N.J., June 10, 2003 —

"We believe this is the first time that a program has been developed for pediatricians and dentists to join together as a team to learn how to coordinate efforts and improve the health care of their patients," commented Dr. Philip M. Bonaparte, Chief Medical Officer for Horizon/Mercy, New Jersey's largest managed health care organization serving the publicly insured. To highlight how this collaboration can overcome "missed opportunities" for care, Dr. Bonaparte emphasized the potential and critical importance of oral health when he announced Horizon/Mercy's sponsorship of an Oral Health Seminar on Tuesday, June 10, 2003 with Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune, NJ.

"Horizon/Mercy is pleased to help facilitate this seminar with the goal of increasing the knowledge base of physicians and other health professionals about the importance of screening for dental disease in an early stage. Through education and outreach, we can help improve the health care of infants and children," commented Dr. Bonaparte.

EVENT: "Responsibility of Pediatric Providers to Oral Health for Children"
PLACE: Jersey Shore Medical Center, Lance Auditorium, Neptune, NJ
DATE and TIMES: Tuesday, June 10, 2003
5:00 PM - 5:30 PM Registration and Buffet Dinner
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Oral Health Seminar for CME credit (1.
PRESENTER: Fred S. Ferguson, DDS, Professor of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Children's Dentistry and Associate Professor of Pediatric Medicine, University Hospital, State University New York at Stony Brook

"Tooth decay is the most common pediatric health problem nationwide and studies indicate that there is a relationship between periodontal disease and pre-term, low birth weight babies. The material presented in this seminar offers an opportunity for providers to learn how to prevent oral problems," added Dr. Bonaparte.

Horizon/Mercy is honored to be included as a sponsor and partner for this program with Jersey Shore Medical Center Department of Dentistry in affiliation with the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and in cooperation with the Jersey Shore Medical Center Department of Pediatrics.

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. Horizon/Mercy was awarded Health Plan full accreditation in 2002 by URAC, also known as the American Health Care Commission. Headquartered in West Trenton, NJ, Horizon/Mercy, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.

Horizon/Mercy Fact Sheet
Oral Health

Horizon/Mercy, the state's largest managed health care organization serving the publicly insured, provides health care services for more than 270,000 people in all 21 New Jersey counties.

As one of the sponsors for the June 10, 2003 Oral Health Seminar at Jersey Shore Medical Center, Horizon/Mercy will alert physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, nurses and other pediatric health care providers about the need for preventive dental care. The seminar is one method for educating health care providers on how to improve care to the underserved.

• Studies in the Journal of Periodontology have shown a relationship between periodontal disease and pre-term, low birth weight babies. Women with periodontal disease may be seven times more likely to have a baby who is born too early and too small. (American Academy of Periodontology).
• According to David Satcher, U.S. Surgeon General, in his "Report on Oral Health" (2002), not only is there a "silent epidemic" of oral health disease in the nation, but he stated, "Members of racial and ethnic groups also experience a disproportionate level of oral health problems."
• The same report cited studies showing about 37 percent of children did not have a dental visit before starting school. Also, 51 million school hours are lost each year due to dental-related illness.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) summary of the Surgeon General's Report stated, "Oral health must be included in the provision of health care and design of community programs?A coordinated effort can overcome the educational, environmental, social, health systems and financial barriers that have created vulnerable populations whose oral health is at risk."
• Dental decay (cavities) is the most common chronic disease of childhood, affecting 50 percent of children by middle childhood and more than 80 percent by adolescence. (American Dental Hygienists' Association (ADHA))

Horizon/Mercy is New Jersey's largest managed healthcare organization serving the publicly insured, providing healthcare services to more than 280,000 people in all 21 New Jersey counties. Horizon/Mercy was awarded Health Plan full accreditation in 2002 by URAC, also known as the American Health Care Commission. Horizon/Mercy, a program of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, has its headquarters in West Trenton, NJ.