Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating (FSR) of A- (Excellent) and issuer credit rating (ICR) of "a-" of Access Dental Plan (Access Dental) and Premier Access Insurance Company (Premier Access) (both of Sacramento, CA). The rating outlook for Premier Access has been revised to stable from negative, while the rating outlook for Access Dental Plan remains negative.

The revised outlook for Premier Access reflects the company's increasing premium revenue and earnings trend in a competitive commercial dental market. Premier Access has been growing its group dental business primarily in California and Arizona. The continuation of the negative outlook for Access Dental reflects a potential decline in future earnings from a proposed 10% reduction to the California Medi-Cal/Denti-Cal reimbursement rates to health plans later in 2008 and continuing payments of sizeable stockholder dividends. Access Dental's business is confined to three government contracts in California.