Betty Andrews Earns Toastmaster's Advanced Communicator Gold Designation

Horseshoe Pond Toastmasters is pleased to announced that Pittsfield resident Betty Andrews recently earned an Advanced Communicator Gold designation, making her the highest ranking member in the club. Andrews was recognized during a recent awards banquet. This designation signifies that Andrews has presented 40 prepared speeches since joining Toastmasters and has satisfied other requirements.

Horseshoe Pond Toastmaster meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each summer month at Northeast Delta Dental, One Delta Drive, Concord, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. In September, it resumes its weekly meeting schedule. Affiliated with Toastmasters International, it provides a self–directed program to help improve speaking and related skills. For more information, call V.P. of Public Relations, Cathy Frankel at 223–1295.

Courtney Morin of Northeast Delta Dental Named Associate of the Society of Actuaries

Concord, New Hampshire: — Courtney Morin was named an Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) by demonstrating knowledge of the fundamental concepts and techniques for modeling and managing risk and learning the methods of applying those concepts and techniques to common problems involving uncertain future events, especially those with financial implications. The ASA represents several years of study and the successful completion of a series of examinations. Candidates must also complete a Society of Actuaries' course focusing on professionalism, ethics and legal liability. Visit the Society of Actuaries' website at www.soa.org to learn more.

Morin has a BA in Mathematics from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts. Morin is an associate actuary at Northeast Delta Dental, where she has worked for the past five years. She is currently working on achieving the Fellow of Society of Actuaries designation.

Northeast Delta Dental administers dental benefits to nearly 700,000 people in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It offers dental benefit programs to businesses of all sizes and individuals with no access to employer–sponsored group dental insurance. Visit Northeast Delta Dental's website at www.nedelta.com

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and Northeast Delta Dental Partner to Offer Employers Coordinated Dental and Medical Plans

Concord, New Hampshire: Northeast Delta Dental and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care today announced that they have partnered to offer coordinated dental and medical plans for employers and their employees in New Hampshire and Maine beginning July 1, 2009. The partnership offers premium savings on coordinated dental and medical plans, extensive access to dentists and doctors and easy administration for employers. Both Northeast Delta Dental and Harvard Pilgrim are not–for–profit organizations that have built their reputations on best–in–class service.

Northeast Delta Dental's Vice President, Marketing, Gene Emery, said “Because of the impact of oral health on overall health, we are extremely pleased to partner with a health benefits carrier to offer dental benefit plans that are paired with comprehensive medical coverage programs. I can't think of a better match for us than Harvard Pilgrim.”

Harvard Pilgrim is the #1 commercial health plan in America according to a joint ranking by the U.S. News & World Report and the National Committee for Quality Assurance^*. U.S. News & World Report ranks the nation's best health plans and determined that Harvard Pilgrim continues to lead the country for member satisfaction and quality of care. Harvard Pilgrim has topped the U.S. News/NCQA America's Best Health Plans list every year since 2005. Harvard Pilgrim was recently identified as having the highest member satisfaction among commercial health plans in the New England Region in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 National Health Insurance Plan Study^**.

“Harvard Pilgrim is pleased to partner with Northeast Delta Dental and offer employers the winning combination of great medical coverage, rich dental benefits and superior customer service, all at a competitive price” said Vin Capozzi, Harvard Pilgrim's Senior Vice President of Sales and Customer Service.

A regional and national award winner for its management practices and civic involvement, Northeast Delta Dental is well known for its innovative Guarantee Of Service Excellence^SM program, which guarantees seven service areas and reinforces them with a group refund policy. Northeast Delta Dental is a recipient of a Granite State Quality Achievement Award, and for five consecutive years Great Place to Work® Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management. (SHRM) ranked it among the 25 Best Small Companies to Work for in America.

About Harvard Pilgrim Health Care

Harvard Pilgrim is a not–for–profit health plan that provides a variety of health benefit options and funding arrangements to more than one million members in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine. For more information, please visit www.harvardpilgrim.org

About Northeast Delta Dental

With nearly five decades of expertise in the dental benefits industry, Northeast Delta Dental administers the dental benefits of close to 700,000 people in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It offers programs for businesses of all sizes and individuals with no access to employer–sponsored group dental insurance. For more information, please visit www.nedelta.com

America's Best Health Plan is a trademark of U.S. News & World Report. The source for this data is Quality Compass® and is used with the permission of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Quality Compass is a registered trademark of NCQA. NCQA is a private, non–profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality.

^**Harvard Pilgrim received the highest numerical score among large commercial health plans in the New England region in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2009 National Health Plan Study^SM. Study based on 33,007 total member responses, measuring 12 plans in the New England region (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)(excludes Medicare and Medicaid). Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of members surveyed in December 2008 and January 2009. Your experiences may vary. www.jdpower.com

Tom Raffio Receives Paul Harris Fellowship Award from the Rotary Club of Bow

Concord, New Hampshire: Recently Tom Raffio, President & CEO of Northeast Delta Dental, was honored by the Rotary Club of Bow, New Hampshire, with a Paul Harris Fellowship Award. The Paul Harris Fellowship is named for Paul Harris, who founded the Rotary with three business associates in Chicago in 1905. The Fellowship was established in his honor in 1957 to express appreciation for a contribution to the humanitarian and educational programs of the Rotary Foundation. Those programs include an array of projects that save and invigorate the lives of people around the world and enhance international friendship and understanding. Raffio was recognized as appreciation for the ways in which his life exemplifies the humanitarian and educational objectives of The Rotary Foundation.

Visit Raffio's blog at www.nedelta.com

New Hampshire School Administrators Association Recognizes Tom Raffio as a 2009 Champion for Children

Concord, New Hampshire: At a recent Champions for Children Award Ceremony, Bow resident Tom Raffio was recognized as a Champion for Children for the Southwest Region by the New Hampshire School Administrators Association for his support of the Bow School District. Nominations highlighted a variety of forms of support that Raffio has provided to the Bow School District during the last several years. One of the ways in which Raffio serves Bow is as a member of the board of the Bow School District Foundation.

Raffio is President & CEO of Northeast Delta Dental in Concord, which has been a major funder of a drug and alcohol abuse counselor working in Bow middle and high schools. Visit Raffio's blog at www.nedelta.com.

Richard Berryman, DDS, Receives Award from New Hampshire Dental Society

Concord, New Hampshire: Richard Berryman, DDS, of Concord was recently presented with the New Hampshire Dental Society's highest merit award at its annual meeting. The MacRury Award was given in recognition of Dr. Berryman's outstanding service to dentistry. He was the president of the New Hampshire Dental Society in 2000–2001, served on the American Dental Association's Council on Dental Practice from 2001 to 2005, and recently completed four terms as the New Hampshire Dental Society's Treasurer. He is also Past–President of the Concord Rotary Club, the Friends of the Concord Public Library, and the New England Dental Society, which he currently serves as Treasure.

Dr. Berryman practices dentistry in Manchester and is employed by Northeast Delta Dental as a dental consultant. Northeast Delta Dental administers dental benefits to nearly 700,000 people in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It offers dental benefit programs to businesses of all sizes and individuals with no access to employer–sponsored group dental insurance.

Northeast Delta Dental Foundation Supports Easter Seals NH Dental Center

The Easter Seals Dental Center, sponsored by the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation, opened it's doors on June 1, 2009, at Easter Seals headquarters at 555 Auburn Street in Manchester for local children and adults in need of dental care.

A ribbon cutting ceremony on May 27 marked the opening of the center which will be a dental home to those who lack access to treatment with the goal of preventative and continuity of care to improve health outcomes in general and oral health outcomes in particular.

Earle W. Simpson DMD will head up the Easter Seals Dental Center with a strong emphasis on thorough exams—checking the overall health of teeth and gums, performing oral cancer exams and taking x–rays when necessary.

“I strongly believe preventative care and education are the keys to optimal dental health,” says Dr. Simpson. “Routine cleanings, flossing, sealants and fluoride are all crucial in preventing dental disease and maintaining the beauty of your smile and, more importantly, your health.”

The dental suite will feature a two–chair clinic offering routine cleanings, check–ups, x–rays, restorative procedures, oral surgery, and after–hours emergency care. Staff will include a full–time dentist, part–time dentist as warranted, and a full–time assistant. Staff will evaluate, monitor, and respond to patients with a wide range of disabilities and special medical needs.

“We've been a strong supporter of Easter Seals New Hampshire for many years as a corporate funding partner, and we are extremely pleased that the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation awarded a grant to an initiative that directly relates to our mission,” said President & CEO of Northeast Delta Dental Tom Raffio, “Like us, Easter Seals is driven by its values, and we especially appreciate that it has an ongoing commitment to excellence, it is customer–focused, and it is deeply committed to serving those with no other resources.”

Please call 603–621–3482 for more information about the Easter Seals New Hampshire Dental Center.

Laural Dillon, Easter Seals Dental Coordinator, Dr. Earle Simpson, Northeast Delta Dental President & CEO Tom Raffio, Easter Seals Chairman of the Board Ben Gamache, Easter Seals President & CEO Larry Gammon, Easter Seals Senior Vice President Noel Sullivan.
Front: Two Students of Madelaine A. Galucia Child Development Center.

New Trustee Joins Delta Dental Plan of Vermont Board

Burlington, Vermont: Delta Dental Plan of Vermont announces the election of a new board trustee, Paul A. Averill, DDS.

A Williston resident, Dr. Averill practices dentistry in Burlington. Dr. Averill is active in professional associations and serves the Vermont State Dental Society and the International College of Dentists in leadership positions. Dr. Averill's long history of community service presently includes coaching for youth hockey and basketball programs, and he is an assistant consultant in forensic dentistry for the State Medical Examiner's Office.

Delta Dental Plan of Vermont is one of three Delta Dental Plans doing business in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont jointly as Northeast Delta Dental, with corporate headquarters in Concord, New Hampshire, and a sales office in Burlington. Northeast Delta Dental administers the dental benefits of businesses of all sizes and individuals with no access to employer–sponsored group dental insurance.

Delta Dental Plan of New Hampshire elects three new Directors

Concord, NH: Delta Dental Plan of New Hampshire announces the election of three new Directors: Kathryn L. Benway; Jeffrey W. Rodden, DDS; and Nick S. Soggu.

Concord resident Kathryn (Kate) Benway is marketing manager for the economic development office of the City of Manchester. Spofford resident Jeffrey Rodden, DDS, is a practicing periodontist at Keene Periodontic Specialists, LLC. Manchester resident Nick Soggu is President and Founder of Silver Tech, Inc. of Manchester. All three new board members are actively involved in professional and community organizations.

Delta Dental Plan of New Hampshire is one of three Delta Dental Plans doing business jointly as Northeast Delta Dental, with corporate headquarters in Concord, New Hampshire. Northeast Delta Dental administers the dental benefits of businesses of all sizes and individuals with no access to employer–sponsored group dental insurance.

Delta Dental Plan of Maine Elects Two New Directors

Saco, Maine: Delta Dental Plan of Maine announces the election of two new Directors, Cheryl Bascomb and Dan Thayer, P.E.

New Gloucester resident Cheryl Bascomb is the Director of Marketing and Business Development at the Berry Dunn McNeil & Parker CPA firm, which has offices in Portland and Bangor. Civic involvement includes board leadership positions with Dartmouth College Association of Alumni, Opportunity Farm for Boys and Girls, and United Way of Greater Portland.

Auburn resident Dan Thayer is President and CEO of Thayer Corporation and Vital Technologies in Maine and Thayer Acquisition Corporation of New Hampshire. Thayer serves Maine communities through his leadership positions on the boards of the Maine Community Foundation, the Auburn Business Development Corporation, and the Lewiston/Auburn Economic Growth Council.

Delta Dental Plan of Maine is one of three Delta Dental Plans doing business jointly as Northeast Delta Dental, with corporate headquarters in Concord, New Hampshire, and a sales office in Saco. Northeast Delta Dental administers dental benefits to nearly 700,000 people in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

Northeast Delta Dental Foundation Supports Maine Oral Health Programs

Concord, NH: Northeast Delta Dental Foundation granted $148,000 to Maine oral health programs in 2008. Non profit dental clinics that received grants include: Aroostook County Action Program (mobile dental unit); Community Dental, Rumford; HealthReach Community Centers, Strong; Downeast Health Center, Ellsworth; Eastport Health Center; Jesse Albert Memorial Dental Center, Bath; Katahdin Valley Health Center, Millinocket, Houlton, and Island Falls; Knox County Health Clinic, Rockland; Maine Coast Community Dental Clinic, Ellsworth; Oasis Free Dental Clinic, Brunswick; Penobscot Community Health Care, Old Town; and The Root Center Dental Clinic, Portland.

Northeast Delta Dental Foundation also funded Maine oral health education and outreach programs, including: Glenburn School; Islands Community Medical Services, Vinalhaven; MSAD#588, Kingfield; MSAD #70, Hodgdon; Saving Smiles, Windsor; and University of Bangor, Augusta campus.

Northeast Delta Dental administers dental benefits to nearly 700,000 people in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont and offers programs for individuals, and for organizations of all sizes. Its Maine sales office is in Saco.

Northeast Delta Dental Foundation Supports New Hampshire Oral Health Programs

Concord, NH: Northeast Delta Dental Foundation granted $138,000 to New Hampshire oral health programs in 2008. Nonprofit dental clinics that received grants include: Concord Hospital Family Health Center Dental Clinic; Families First Health and Support Center, Portsmouth; Molar Express mobile truck, Littleton; and Sullivan County Oral Health Collaborative Dental Center, Claremont.

Northeast Delta Dental Foundation's support of school–based and community oral health education and outreach programs included: Cheshire Smiles, Keene; Claremont Dental Initiative; The Community Diversion Program, Greenland; Community Health Institute, Bow; Concord Dental Sealant Coalition; Core Mobile Dental Program, Exeter; Greater Derry Oral Health Collaborative; Hillsboro Derring School District; Lamprey Health Care School Dental Program, Newmarket, Raymond, and Nashua; Lisbon Regional School; Southern New Hampshire Area Health Education Center, Raymond; Speare Memorial Hospital School–based program, Plymouth; and State of New Hampshire Department of Public Health Services.

The Foundation also provided a grant to the New Hampshire Oral Health Coalition to support the implementation of New Hampshire Oral Health Plan: A Framework for Action.

Northeast Delta Dental administers dental benefits to nearly 700,000 people in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont and offers programs for individuals, and for organizations of all sizes.

Northeast Delta Dental Foundation Supports Vermont Oral Health Programs

Concord, NH: Northeast Delta Dental Foundation granted $52,000 to Vermont oral health programs in 2008.

Grants provided financial support to Early Education Services in Brattleboro for oral health education material, to Fletcher Allen Health Care for its Miracle of Dental Health Program, to Vermont Dental Care Programs in Winooski for dental supplies for its clinic, the Vermont Dental Hygienist's Association for professional development, and to the Vermont State Dental Society for the Diabetes Education and Control Program in Dental Offices.

Northeast Delta Dental Foundation also supported school–based oral health education and outreach programs, including those serving Bennington–Rutland Supervisory Union; Fairfield Elementary School, Franklin County; Pownal Elementary School; Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union; and Springfield School District.

Northeast Delta Dental administers dental benefits to nearly 700,000 people in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont and offers programs for individuals, and for organizations of all sizes. Its Vermont sales office is in Burlington.

Regular Oral Care Improves Whole–Body Wellness
–Gum Disease–Diabetes Connection Is One Example–

Oak Brook, Ill. (November 3, 2008) – Nearly 21 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes¹. It's no wonder that this disease has been termed our country's biggest epidemic. Of even greater concern is that nearly three times that number – an estimated 57¹ million people in the United States – have a condition called pre diabetes, and a significant proportion of these people will develop Type 2 within 10 years².

But regular visits to the dentist's office can help these potential diabetics get an early warning that they should be on the alert.

“We've long known that people with diabetes are more susceptible to gum disease,” says Max Anderson, DDS, a national oral health advisor for Delta Dental Plans Association. “But recent studies have revealed that periodontal disease can actually influence pre diabetes and contribute to the progression of diabetes.”

“This connection to diabetes is just one example of the relationship between an individual's oral health and his or her overall wellness,” says Dr. Anderson. “While the research affirms the importance of taking good care of your teeth and gums, it also underscores the role that oral health care providers can have in early detection of systematic disease.”

Anderson points that there are numerous reasons to keep regular checkups on your calendar, even if you take good care of your teeth.

• Dental professionals can use today's dental exams to screen for oral cancers and other health issues that can be difficult to spot on your own. More than 120 diseases³ can cause specific signs and symptoms in and around the mouth and jaw. Dental professionals performing checkups can spot symptoms that indicate serious health problems elsewhere in the body that need attention.
• Checkups allow your dentist to keep up with changes to your health status. Upon learning of medical conditions you've developed or treatments you're receiving, your dentist can recommend strategies to help you proactively counter the negative effects the conditions and treatments would otherwise have on your oral health.
• Preventive checkups provide dentists with opportunities to identify and intervene early in dental diseases. This can reduce any pain and the financial costs associated with more severe forms of dental diseases. If caught early, periodontal disease is easier to manage and, in some cases, reverse.

“Dental health professionals can suggest the frequency that's most appropriate for each patient,” Dr. Anderson said. “Some people don't need to be seen twice each year, while some need to be seen more often. Consult with your dentist to determine the number of yearly visits that is right for you.”

Delta Dental Plans Association, based in Oak Brook, Ill., is a national network of independent not–for–profit dental service corporations specializing in providing dental benefit programs to 51 million Americans in more than 93,000 employer groups throughout the country.

Ten–Year Anniversary Prompts Northeast Delta Dental to Donate Benches to City

Concord, NH: Ten years ago, Northeast Delta Dental moved from its offices on Loudon Road to its beautiful offices on Delta Drive. In early 1997, determined to stay in Concord, Tom Raffio, President & CEO, searched for a suitable piece of property. Among the many possible land and lease options throughout Concord, Raffio toured an unappealing slice of land on Commercial Street with Jim Corrigan, commercial real estate broker in Concord. Despite the dilapidated buildings, evidence of illegal dumping, and overgrown fields, he immediately saw its potential as a prime location to build Northeast Delta Dental's new corporate building and was confident that if it was built on this site, others would follow.

On November 20, 1997, Northeast Delta Dental held a ground breaking celebration. The land was soon cleared, and Hutter Construction began building. The building was ready for employees to move into over the Labor Day weekend of 1998. A ribbon–cutting ceremony was held on September 25, 1998, at which Northeast Delta Dental was described as the first pearl on what was to become a string of pearls around Horseshoe Pond.

To celebrate the tenth anniversary in their building, Northeast Delta Dental donated four commemorative park benches to the City of Concord that have been placed strategically along the pathway around Horseshoe Pond to enhance the enjoyment of the beautiful, natural surroundings. Groundwork Concord planted flowers also donated by Northeast Delta Dental.

At a dedication of the benches on the edge of Horseshoe Pond, Mayor Jim Bouley said, “What we have is a truly livable community, and, standing here, you can understand why people love to work here. I can't say enough about the many ways Delta Dental supports this community. It starts with the motivation and vision of Tom Raffio, President & CEO, and it continues with the employees at Delta Dental who make a difference.”

Bill Veroneau, former Mayor of Concord, said, “Ten years ago Tom Raffio predicted this neighborhood would change and would become a showcase of a new and revitalized Concord, and what we saw then was first pearl on a string of pears. He was right. Look around, and you will see a complete string of pearls surrounding a pond teeming with wild life and walking paths for the enjoyment of those who live and work in this area.”

School Lunch Makeover Can Control Sugar

Concord, NH:   You wouldn't send your children to school with a lunchbox full of candy bars, but you might be packing almost as much sugar when you send them off with some of the popular lunch–time classics. Considering that most children brush their teeth in the morning and again before bed, the sugar they put in their mouths at lunch could stay in there for a while. That worries some dentists.

“When you start adding up the sugars found in some of the most common lunch items, you might be shocked,” says Northeast Delta Dental Vice President, Professional Relations, Shannon Mills, DDS, FAGD, FICS. “Making a few simple changes can lower the sugar count, which is ultimately better for children's bodies and their oral health.”

Take, for example, the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Toss in a box of raisins, a small container of applesauce, and a single–serve carton of chocolate milk. While it sounds pretty healthy and balanced, the sugar total is a whopping 98 grams. An average candy bar contains about 25 grams of sugar. Without making drastic changes, you can give your children's lunches a sugar makeover.

Look for natural peanut butter (made without added sugar) and low or no–added–sugar jelly. Replace the white bread with whole wheat bread and the regular applesauce with natural applesauce. Consider skipping the raisins. In addition to their high sugar content, their stickiness can hold sugars against children's teeth for prolonged periods of time. Swap the raisins for some mini carrots and the chocolate milk for white milk. The new total? A more tooth–tolerable 31 grams of sugar.

It's easy to find alternatives to a number of other lunchbox standards. With only 10 grams of sugar, a tube of yogurt is a good option for boosting calcium. Even better is a piece of string cheese, which also offers calcium but with zero grams of sugar. A fruit roll–up style snack has half the amount of sugar (7 grams) as fruit snacks in a pouch (14 grams). For a special treat, replace three chocolate, creme–filled cookies (at 13 grams of sugar), with three vanilla wafer cookies (4 grams of sugar).

If not removed by brushing or other means, sugars in the mouth can contribute to tooth decay and cavities. Naturally occurring bacteria in the human mouth form a colorless, sticky film called plaque. Cavity–causing organisms within plaque feed on sugar and turn it into acid. This acid attacks tooth enamel and leads to tooth decay.

“Products and brands can vary greatly in sugar content, so it's important to read the nutrition labels on the foods you're buying,” says Dr. Mills. “A healthy and nutritious diet, paired with good oral hygiene at home and preventive care visits to the dentist, can all go a long way toward protecting children against tooth decay.”

Located in Concord, New Hampshire, Northeast Delta Dental administers the dental benefits of nearly 700,000 people in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

Northeast Delta Dental Employees Recylce
Over 4,000 Pounds of Used Electronics

Concord, NH:   On June 24, 2008, Northeast Delta Dental held an electronics recycling day at its headquarters in Concord. As part of Delta Dental's Green Initiative, employees were invited to bring in recyclable items from home including fluorescent lamps, batteries, computer monitors, printers, televisions, VCRs, and air conditioners. By the end of the day, Delta Dental employees had recycled more than 4,000 pounds of these materials.

“All of us have unwanted items in our basements and garages,” says Tom Raffio, Delta Dental's President & CEO. “Many have environmental issues, so they should be disposed of with care. Given Delta Dental's corporate commitment to sustainability, we decided that the easiest and most effective way to dispose of items with unique recycling issues would be to encourage employees to bring them to work. We assured them that we would dispose of them properly.”

Disposition and recycling were handled by the Institution Recycling Network (IRN) of Concord, which works on recycling issues with organizations throughout New England. The items brought in by Delta Dental employees were sorted and separated to go the appropriate recycler. According IRN's COO Dana Draper, most people are unaware that these items have to be handled carefully and separately. Says Draper, “Computer monitors and TVs are a concern because of their lead content and go to a recycler who specializes in electronics. Fluorescents and flat screen TVs and monitors contain mercury; they go to another specialized recycler. Rechargeable batteries contain a variety of toxic materials. Air conditioners contain refrigerants that can deplete the ozone layer and must be removed by a licensed technician.”

According to Northeast Delta Dental's Joe Kasper, Director of Corporate Services, the day went like clockwork. “IRN's truck was here at 2:00 p.m. after the last of the items were placed in the collection pile; and, within one hour, their truck was gone. Hundreds of pieces of used electronics, lights, air conditioners, and other items were saved from disposal, at a cost that was pretty minimal to Delta Dental. It's the kind of event that says good things about our company and our employees, and it's something that companies could replicate.”

About the IRN:   The Institution Recycling Network is a cooperative recycling organization that works with over 200 public, institutional, and private sector organizations to improve the performance and economics of their recycling programs. The IRN negotiates for transportation, processing, and marketing of recycled commodities using the collective strength of its member organizations, and provides a single point of contact to recycle dozens of different materials. The IRN handles over 75 commodities – everything from cardboard and fluorescent lamps to concrete and Astroturf. The IRN is particularly known for its effective recycling of unusual or complex commodities such as electronic equipment, construction and demolition wastes, and surplus property.

100% Recycled Paper Selected for 2007 Annual Report

Concord, New Hampshire: Northeast Delta Dental announces that its 2007 Annual Report is printed on 100% recycled FSC certified paper. Monadnock Paper Mills in Bennington, New Hampshire, milled the paper and sold it to RAM Printing, in East Kingston, New Hampshire, which printed the annual report using vegetable–based ink. Both group customers have been recognized for their environmentally friendly practices.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) was created to change the dialogue about, and the practice of, sustainable forestry worldwide. By selecting papers that have been certified by the FSC, we confirm our support of the highest social and environmental standards in the market where we use paper and demonstrates our commitment to responsible forest management. To learn more, visit the Forest Stewardship Council's website at www.fsc.org

Northeast Delta Dental administers dental benefits to over 700,000 people in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont and offers dental benefit programs for individuals and businesses of all sizes.

Northeast Delta Dental Ranked for Fifth Year as One of America's Best Small Companies

From left to right: Northeast Delta Dental Sr. V.P., Operations, William Lambrukos
SHRM President and CEO, Susan Meisinger
Northeast Delta Dental V.P., Human Resources, Connie Roy–Czyzwoski, SPHR, CCP
Northeast Delta Dental, Human Resources Specialist, Catherine Reid

Concord, New Hampshire: Northeast Delta Dental was named one of the 25 Best Small Companies to Work for in America for a fifth consecutive year. The list of the 50 Best Small & Medium Companies was announced at the Society for Human Resource Management's (SHRM) 60th Annual Conference & Exposition in Chicago.

Now in its fifth year, this annual list ranks the best 25 small and 25 medium–sized companies in the country. Great Place to Work® Institute (GPTW) selected and ranked the organizations, which range in size from 50–to–999 employees. Ranking is based two–thirds on the results of an employee opinion survey on workplace culture. The remaining one–third is based on the Institute's evaluation of five areas: credibility, respect, fairness, pride, and camaraderie.

“Top U.S. companies succeed by using smart people–management strategies to develop highly productive and satisfied workforces,” said SHRM President and CEO Susan R. Meisinger. “Particularly in times of economic instability, knowing how to best manage your employees is an essential part of keeping productivity high and your organization open for business. That's why these winners deserve our applause, now more than ever.”

Northeast Delta Dental administers the dental benefits of over 700,000 people in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont and offers dental programs for individuals and businesses of all sizes.

SHRM is the world's largest association devoted to human resource management and Great Place to Work® Institute, Inc. is an international research and consulting firm dedicated to building great workplaces.

Thomas Raffio Awarded Community Leadership Award by NAMI NH

Concord, NH: Tom Raffio of Bow, New Hampshire, President & CEO of Northeast Delta Dental, was recently awarded The Samuel S. Adams Excellence in Community Leadership Award by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) NH at a reception held at the Capital Center for the Arts in Concord. Established in 2004, this award recognizes exemplary community/state leaders who may not have a direct affiliation with the mental health field. The Award was presented to Samuel S. Adams in 2005 and to former Governor Jeanne Shaheen in 2006. Mike Cohen, NAMI NH Executive Director, said "Tom represents the values associated with this award. He recognizes the impact of individual contributions to the success of projects, programs, and groups. We are excited to honor his achievements and recognize the positive impact he makes through his civic involvement and in his role as President of Northeast Delta Dental." Raffio provides leadership to the boards and advisory committees of several New Hampshire nonprofits. Following his example, more than two dozen Northeast Delta Dental employees serve over 65 community organizations in this way. Northeast Delta Dental administers dental benefits to individuals and companies of all sizes in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

Northeast Delta Dental Ranked Among Best Small Companies to Work For in America for the Third Year in a Row!

Concord, New Hampshire: The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and Great Place to Work® Institute named Northeast Delta Dental as one of the 25 Best Small Companies to Work for in America, an honor announced recently at SHRM's 2006 Annual Conference & Exposition. This ranking recognizes the best 25 small and 25 medium companies in America that have used people management strategies successfully to develop organizations with highly productive and satisfied workforces. During the three years that this ranking has been produced and released, Northeast Delta Dental was ranked among the 10 best small companies. SHRM President and CEO Susan Meisinger, SPHR (right) presents the award to Sr. Vice President, Operations William Lambrukos and Vice President, Human Resources Connie Roy-Czyzowski, SPHR. CCP. Northeast Delta Dental administers dental benefits for over 650,000 people in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, and is recognized regionally for its customer service focus, its quality initiatives, and its record of social responsibility. "Small and medium-sized companies make up the majority of the American economy and workforce," said SHRM President and CEO Susan R. Meisinger, SPHR. "These winning organizations demonstrate that making effective use of workforce is key to their success. . ." Great Places to Work® Institute cofounder Robert Levering said that other companies had "much to learn about how to both be productive and do right by their people" from the winning companies. SHRM is the world's largest association devoted to human resource management, and The Great Place to Work® Institute is an international research and management consultancy that produces other "Best Companies to Work for" lists, including Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work for"©, recognizing employers with 1,000 or more employees.

Thomas Raffio Receives NHBCA Leadership in the Arts Award.

At its annual awards banquet, New Hampshire Business Committee for the Arts awarded Northeast Delta Dental President & CEO Tom Raffio its annual Leadership Award for his community service related to the arts. Here is some of what was said about Tom when he received his award...       (left to right) Governor John Lynch, Dr. Lynch, Thomas Raffio, Scott Spradling The recipient of this year’s Leadership Award is known as one who believes that business and the arts should support each other, with business providing both leadership and financial resources and the arts creating and sustaining an attractive cultural environment... As noted humanitarian Albert Schweitzer so aptly expressed it, “Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing.” By this leader’s example of personally contributing to the arts in the same way as his corporation, he has encouraged support for the arts among other business leaders. During a decade of community involvement in our state, this leader has directed his organization to support diverse art organizations...and has served on the board of many of them. In board leadership positions, he is known as a communicator and motivator, bringing the same vision and passion to the table that he shares with the boards that govern his organization. ....he is developing the next generation of leadership by encouraging his employees to volunteer for arts organizations and helping them to find the right match... For the impact he has made on the arts in New Hampshire, this year’s Leadership Award is presented to President & CEO of Northeast Delta Dental, Thomas Raffio. Quality Business-Education Partnership Award Recognizes Tom Raffio. Concord, New Hampshire: In early July Northeast Delta Dental President & CEO Tom Raffio accepted an Outstanding Quality Business-Education Partnership of the Year Award at the Seventh International Invitational Quality Leadership Retreat & Summit in Maui. The Center For Schools of Quality (John Jay Bonstingl) in Columbia, Maryland, and the Quality Education Network of the International Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) of Arlington, Virginia, cosponsored the award. It annually recognizes exemplary contributions to collaborative efforts resulting in higher achievement and greater well-being for all students and their families and communities. The Retreat & Summit brings together 25 top-level, quality-focused leaders in the fields of education, business, and government exploring themes of how to best apply quality principles to education, including those used in the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Tom Raffio is an Incorporator and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Granite State Quality Council. For more information, call 603-223-1312 or visit www.gsqc.com. Award cosponsors also honored Fred Bramante and the New Hampshire State Board of Education for their efforts to incorporate Real World Learning into the lives of New Hampshire students.   Northeast Delta Dental President & CEO Selected as a Best Boss. Concord, New Hampshire: Thomas Raffio, President & CEO of Northeast Delta Dental, was one of 15 leaders of small businesses to win a national "Best Boss 2005" award presented jointly by Winning Workplaces and FORTUNE Small Business at an annual workplace practices conference in Chicago. The September conference celebrates best practices of small businesses and their leaders. Selected by a distinguished panel of judges during a rigorous nomination process, winners were listed in the October issue of FORTUNE Small Business. Winning Workplaces is a national not-for-profit whose mission is to help leaders of small and midsize organizations create great workplaces. FORTUNE Small Business provides informative articles on the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. economy. Headquartered in Concord, New Hampshire, Northeast Delta Dental administers dental benefits to over 650,000 individuals in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Northeast Delta Dental Ranked Among Best Small Companies to Work For in America for the Second Year in a Row. Concord, New Hampshire: Great Place to Work® Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) selected Northeast Delta Dental as one of the 25 Best Small Companies to Work for in America, an honor announced recently at SHRM's 2005 Annual Conference & Exposition in San Diego, California. In its second year, this ranking recognizes the top 25 small and top 25 medium companies in America using people management strategies successfully to develop organizations with highly productive and satisfied work forces. Making the list both years, Northeast Delta Dental was again ranked among the 10 best small companies. Northeast Delta Dental administers dental benefits for over 650,000 people in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont; and is recognized regionally for its customer service focus, quality initiatives, and record of social responsibility. SHRM President and CEO Susan Meisinger, SPHR said, "The organizations on this year's list demonstrate that smaller companies can compete with large organizations in terms of how to effectively incorporate strategies that make the most effective use of the work force." Great Places to Work® Institute cofounder, Robert Levering, added, "These companies stand out because their employees find them to be places where they can trust the management, have pride in their work, and have fun at work." SHRM is the world's largest association devoted to human resource management. The Great Place to Work® Institute is an international research and management consultancy that also produces other "Best Companies to Work for" lists, including Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work for,"© recognizing employers with 1,000 or more employees.   New Hampshire Historical Society, Northeast Delta Dental Team up for Education Northeast Delta Dental is helping to keep children engaged in history through its support of the New Hampshire Historical Society's "Young Scholars" program. This statewide education initiative was developed to help New Hampshire students better understand and appreciate their local, state, and national history and culture. Grade four at New Hampton Community School with Bill Veillette, executive director of NH Historical Society (left) and Tom Raffio, president & CEO of Northeast Delta Dental. "Northeast Delta Dental is thrilled to have the opportunity to support the New Hampshire Historical Society's Young Scholars Program," said Northeast Delta Dental President & CEO Thomas Raffio during a recent visit to the Society's Museum of New Hampshire History in Concord. "It's important to us to play a role in training knowledgeable future citizens, and we are happy to help underwrite the costs of this educational program so that more students can experience the museum's compelling, artifact-based education programs." Students either visit the Society's Museum of New Hampshire History with their classes for lessons, or museum teachers travel to present outreach lessons in the students' own classrooms. Currently, the Society's education programs reach more than 15,000 students each year from all around the state. "Developing and delivering high-quality programs for students and teachers is expensive, and the Society relies on contributions from individuals, business, and foundations to keep these educational opportunities available and affordable to schools," explained Executive Director Bill Veillette. "We are grateful to Northeast Delta Dental and all of our sponsors for their generous support."   American Dental Association and Local Dentists Sponsor Give Kids a Smile ® On Friday, February 4, 2005, the nation's dentists provided free oral health care services to thousands of low-income children across the country.  Give Kids A Smile® 2004 was an effort that resulted in the delivery of some $100 million in dental education, screening, treatment and products to a million children around the country by 38,000 dental professionals. Give Kids A Smile® is just one of many events taking place during National Children's Dental Health Month, also sponsored by the American Dental Association (ADA). Click below to find out more about the Give Kids a Smile®, National Children's Dental Health Month, dental offerings in your state, and the ADA: American Dental Association: http://www.ada.org National Children's Dental Health Month: http://www.ada.org/prof/events/featured/ncdhm.asp Give Kids a Smile®: http://www.ada.org/prof/events/featured/gkas/index.asp New Hampshire Dental Society: http://www.nhds.org Maine Dental Association: http://www.medental.org Vermont State Dental Society: http://www.vsds.org   Northeast Delta Dental Ranked Among 25 Nationally in Small Company Category New Orleans, Louisiana: Northeast Delta Dental of Concord, New Hampshire, was named among the top 50 Best Small & Medium Companies to Work for in America. The corporation administers dental benefits to over 650,000 individuals in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Northeast Delta Dental’s ranking as fourth “Best Small Company in America” was announced on June 28, 2004 before 12,000 human resource professionals at the Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM) 56th Annual Conference & Exposition in New Orleans. President & CEO Thomas Raffio reacted to the announcement by saying, “as we grow, we do our utmost to keep the heart and soul of a smaller organization. We believe in listening to our employees, and we implement many of their suggestions.” This year marked the launch of the list ranking the top 25 small and top 25 medium companies in the United States. The organizations, ranging in size from 50 to 999 employees, were announced by SHRM and selected and ranked by the Great Place to Work® Institute (GPTWI) based primarily on an employee opinion survey. Winning organizations appear in the July issue of HR Magazine. Newcomen Society Honors Northeast Delta Dental On the evening of November 18, 2003, The Newcomen Society of the United States honored Northeast Delta Dental at a dinner and program held in the newly renovated Governor’s Hall at Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord, New Hampshire. Mr. Raffio presented highlights of the corporation’s history. This corporate history will later be published and placed in over 3,000 libraries throughout the United States. Leighton A. Wildrick, President & CEO of the Newcomen Society of the United States, presented the Newcomen Award to Northeast Delta Dental. The Newcomen Society, based in Exton, Pennsylvania, is a publicly supported, tax-exempt education foundation for the “study and recognition of achievement in American business and the society it serves.” The Society highlights the values of a free enterprise system by recognizing organizations that contribute to, or benefit from, free enterprise. Philip B. Ryan, National Trustee of The Newcomen Society and Chief Executive Officer of Merchants Automotive Group, presided. Lewis M. Feldstein, President of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, introduced Thomas Raffio, President & CEO of Northeast Delta Dental. These events followed a cocktail reception hosted by Sheehan Phinney Bass + Green, P.A. Past New Hampshire honorees include: Elliot Hospital, Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital, and Mount Washington Hotel & Resort Connie Roy-Czyzowski, SPHR, Receives HR Hero Award Manchester, New Hampshire: Connie Roy-Czyzowski, SPHR, received the HR Hero award at the fifth annual Granite State Human Resources Conference. This award recognizes an individual for making significant contributions to the field of human resource management and its increased importance in the workplace. It also honors creative approaches and consistently high performance that benefit this individual’s organization and business and professional communities. The award signifies that Roy-Czyzowski is considered to be the best in the Granite State in human resources management. Roy-Czyzowski is the Vice President, Human Resources, for Concord-based Northeast Delta Dental. She has over 20 years of experience in human resources management. She is a Past President, Program Chair, Membership Chair, and Board Member for the Manchester Area Human Resources Association, a local Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) chapter. She also served as President of the Human Resources Association of Greater Concord. Roy-Czyzowski is Chair of the Advisory Board for the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester. She also serves as a member of an Advisory Board for the New Hampshire Technical Institute in Concord and the Ventures for Growth Committee of the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund.