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United Concordia Provides $100,000 in Free Dental Services

Posted on: Thursday, 7 May 2009, 08:30 CDT

Elevated Community Outreach Efforts Evident in First Quarter Results

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- National dental insurer, United Concordia, today announced that its 2009 community outreach program has provided more than $100,000 in free dental care to the underserved in the first quarter of 2009.

"The tough economic climate has made it even more difficult for the uninsured community to seek the proper dental treatment," said Harlon Robinson, United Concordia's vice president of human resources and administration. "We decided we needed to respond to the need, and set a goal to double the number of clinics we sponsored in 2008, to 60 in 2009."

United Concordia has already sponsored 14 clinics this year in cities such as Philadelphia; Phoenix; Arlington, Texas; San Dimas, Calif.; Charleston, W.Va.; and Harrisburg, Pa.; providing a range of dental health services from dental health screenings to full restorative clinics, in which dentists administered treatment such as cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, x-rays and fillings.

Careful planning is necessary to tailor each clinic to meet the needs of the community in the surrounding area, including key decisions such as whether the clinic is held at a school, non-profit organization or other venue, and ensuring enough volunteer dentists and dental students are on hand to see all of the clinic participants.

Al Mason, chief executive officer of the McKinley Children's Center in San Dimas, Calif., said of a February clinic held at the Center, "Many of the children in McKinley's programs have never before visited a dentist. They are understandably apprehensive, but having dentists visit them in a familiar location helps relieve some of the stress associated with visiting the dentist. The screenings should help detect obvious dental problems and perhaps direct students to treatment before things get worse."

Supporting the community has always been a top priority for United Concordia. In addition to sponsoring 30 free dental clinics last year, United Concordia and its employees also supported military service members through contributions and providing school supplies for soldiers to give to Iraqi children, United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Toys for Tots, Second Mile, Breast Cancer Walk, and numerous other non-profit organizations.

"By the action taken in participating with various groups around the country, United Concordia is at the top of a short list of truly community-minded corporations that looks at the big picture of service to others and to the greater good," said Rex Law, DDS, a volunteer dentist at an Arlington, Texas clinic in February and Chair of the Texas Oral Health Coalition.

About United Concordia Dental

United Concordia Dental, headquartered in Harrisburg, Pa., is one of the nation's largest dental insurers, with approximately 7.9 million members worldwide and 2008 revenues of $1.4 billion. United Concordia Dental has a company-wide dedication and commitment to superior customer service which is evident in the design, implementation, administration and servicing of its dental benefits programs. For more information about United Concordia Dental products, visit www.unitedconcordia.com.

SOURCE United Concordia

Source: PR Newswire

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