Times are tough. So are we.

Over the last year, we've witnessed one of the worst economic downturns since the Depression. Familiar corporate names, once thought to be invincible, have dropped by the wayside.  The auto and banking industries are on life support.  And the government has enacted the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in an effort to stimulate the economy. For most of us, these economic challenges are unprecedented and an aura of uncertainty is prevalent. People are worried about their jobs, their homes, and their hard-earned retirement savings. Employers are scaling back - concerned about their ability to sustain their workforces, their profitability, and their ability to continue offering the same level of benefits to their employees. It is during these times that leaders stand out. And while Delta Dental is not immune to the effects of this recession, we are nevertheless one of those bellwether companies prepared to lead into a better future.

When times are tough, visionary companies make investments for the future. As painful as it may be, difficult times like these present an opportunity to re-focus.  Through introspection, we can take a hard look at what has made us successful in the past and what it will take for us to remain the leader you expect us to be.  We're continually evolving our products and systems for the future. Over the last few years, we designed and implemented major technology enhancements to our claims system that will serve us well through the next decade - improving efficiency, accuracy, flexibility, and enabling even faster claim processing and payment turnaround for our members and dentists.