The AARP Dental Insurance Plan announced today the addition of 10 new states, including Maine, bringing the total to 48 states in which the program is now available.

Already available in 37 states and the District of Columbia, the AARP Dental Insurance Plan now also covers Alaska, Arizona, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma and Vermont. Plans are to make the program available to all 35 million AARP members across the country.

“There is a growing need for affordable dental insurance for older Americans, as part of one’s healthcare coverage supporting overall health and wellness,” said Dawn Sweeney, president of AARP Services Inc. “AARP is devoted to ensuring that Americans can gain access to affordable coverage for complete health care.”

Featuring comprehensive family coverage and the freedom to choose any licensed dentist, the AARP Dental Insurance Plan targets the millions of Americans older than 50 who often face losing dental coverage upon retirement.

Approximately 60 percent of Americans older than 50 have dental insurance, but most will lose this coverage when they retire at the same time they face fixed or reduced incomes, according to a report on oral health released by the U.S. surgeon general in May of 2000.

Those interested in the coverage may contact the AARP Dental Insurance Plan for more information at www.deltadentalins.com/aarp or call toll-free at (866) 583-2985 to enroll. AARP membership is required for enrollment.

AARP is a non-profit non-partisan membership organization dedicated to making life better for people 50 and older.

Delta Dental Insurance Company, Dentegra Insurance Company and Dentegra Insurance Company of New England, which together underwrite the AARP Dental Insurance Plan, are affiliates of several companies within the Delta Dental Plans Association. These affiliated companies collectively cover nearly 20 million Americans in a variety of fee-for-service, PPO and HMO dental programs across the country.