California Dentist Buys Preferred Dental Plan, Inc.

Dec. 19, 2001
Now called Liberty Dental, company has a new identity and improved product offerings.

Preferred Dental Plan Inc., a Newport Beach dental HMO, was bought out of receivership by a Southern California dentist.

Dr. Amir Neshat purchased Preferred Dental Plan's Knox-Keene

license as a health maintenance organization and the book of business, after State Regulators (Department of Managed Health Care) approved the transfer of license. As of Dec. 13, 2001, the company's name has been changed to Liberty Dental Plan of California to reflect its new identity and improved product offerings.

"We are excited about a fresh start and positioning our company as

an HMO that anticipates and adopts to changing health care needs,"

said Neshat, who is now CEO of Liberty Dental.

Neshat added that a marketing campaign is in the process of being

developed which focuses on the basics of a dental plan: good benefit

structures and affordable premiums which will afford more small to

mid-size employer groups to realize the benefits of offering dental

benefits to their employees.

Liberty Dental Plan offers comprehensive dental benefits and

access to a wide network of qualified dental professionals. "Members

will benefit from a broad range of products to fit different needs and

budgets," said Richard Herrera, director of operations. "Brokers will

profit from competitive commissions and efficient administration."

Neshat added, "One of our primary objectives will be customer

satisfaction. In addition, Liberty Dental Plan has adopted a new

infrastructure, which includes an IT system conversion which will

enable the organization to more efficiently manage member, dentist and broker information."

Neshat, who received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from

University of Southern California, is also chairman of Newport Coast

Dental Inc., a dental management company with practices in Southern

California.

Arash Aghakhani, D.D.S., MS, an equal shareholder of Liberty

Dental Plan serves as chief dental officer and vice president of

Quality Management. He is also vice president of Newport Coast Dental.

As director of operations, Herrera spearheads the provider network

expansion efforts. Prior to Liberty Dental, Herrera spent more than

eight years with a competing dental carrier. During his tenure in the

industry, he has been involved in all aspects of dental plan

operations and developed many contacts in the field.

Jason Park, Liberty Dental's director of Sales and Finance, spent

more than 15 years in dental management industry on the east coast. He has also worked in various sales and marketing positions for west

coast companies including Ingram Micro.

The company is currently widening its dental provider networks.

The company relies on member surveys to enhance products and

operations. Liberty Dental Plan will expand its products and services

in response to the needs of the marketplace. Future goals on the

company's agenda include extending coverage to other states, and

adding vision plans to its product offering.

"Affordable care shouldn't mean limited service," said Neshat.

"That philosophy is the foundation of all that we do."

Liberty Dental Plan of California is a licensed dental plan that

provides dental benefits statewide to individuals and employer groups.

More information on Liberty Dental Plan can be obtained at

www.LibertyDentalPlan.com or 888/703-6999.

CONTACT: Liberty Dental Plan of California, Newport Beach

Dr. Amir Neshat or Richard Herrera, 888/703-6999

[email protected]

[email protected]