Davis Vision, Visionworks, United Concordia Dental, LA School of Dentistry Partner with HandsOn New Orleans

Special Project This Week Helps New Orleans School and Nearly 400 Students

PLAINVIEW, NY (May 4, 2009) – This week in New Orleans, Davis Vision, one of the nation's premier managed vision care companies, Visionworks retail stores, national dental insurer United Concordia Dental and Louisiana State University School of Dentistry are partnering with HandsOn New Orleans to help children in need at Esperanza - UNO Charter School.

"Vision care professionals agree that fewer than 20 percent of children in our country are adequately screened for vision problems which affect one in 202 preschoolers and one in four school-age children," said Laura Dyer, Davis Vision's assistance vice president, Community Outreach.

"New Orleans children who are uninsured or underinsured face additional challenges, and we are pleased to join an effort to help those who need us."

Davis Vision, Visionworks and United Concordia Dental will conduct free vision and dental screenings for students of the Esperanza - UNO Charter School, and provide free follow-up care to those who need further attention.

"Oral disease is a growing epidemic in the United States," says Harlon L. Robinson, United Concordia corporate vice president of Human Resources and Administration and Corporate Diversity chairman. "Dental decay can cause pain, loss of time from school or work and lower self-esteem. Our goal is to make sure everyone has the opportunity to see a dentist so they can achieve optimal oral health no matter where they live. We also teach them healthy dental habits that they can carry with them through their lives."

Also this week, volunteers from Davis Vision have traveled from New York to work with the HandsOn New Orleans organization in building a basketball court at the school to encourage physical fitness, an interest in sports and school pride.

About Davis Vision, Visionworks

Davis Vision and Visionworks are part of the HVHC Inc. group of companies, which also includes Viva International Group and Eye Care Centers of America. One of the nation's premier managed vision care companies, Davis Vision has been providing comprehensive vision benefits for over 45 years, and currently serves over 55 million members nationwide through an extensive blended network of approximately 30,000 participating ophthalmologists and optometrists, in addition to many opticians and top national retail providers.