05.29.07 | American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and TRANSFIRST launch new payment processing program for members

Introduction to Members at AAPD's 60th Annual Session Will Kick-Off Exciting New Program

DALLAS and CHICAGO (May 24, 2007) — TRANSFIRST Health Services, Inc. a division of TRANSFIRST HOLDINGS, INC., a leading provider of credit card processing services and payment enabling technologies, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) are launching a new partnership that will provide AAPD members with a member benefit program aimed at improving payment processing services at the practice level. Standard card processing programs and products, recurring payment processing via the TRANSFIRST TRANSACTION CENTRAL™ system, plus check servicing, ACH processing, and other healthcare specific tools to increase patient payment options and practice cash flow are among the new services offered to the members. The partners formalized their three year agreement in late 2006 and began offering the program to members in January 2007; both partners are excited to be presenting the program directly to Members May 25th at the AAPD's 60th Annual Session in San Antonio, Texas.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) is the membership organization representing the specialty of pediatric dentistry. Their 7,000 members work in private offices, clinics and hospital settings and serve as primary care providers for millions of infants, children, adolescents and patients with special health care needs. In addition, AAPD members serve as the primary contributors to professional education programs and scholarly works concerning dental care for children. The mission of the AAPD is to advocate policies, guidelines and programs that promote optimal oral health and oral health care for children. The AAPD serves and represents its membership in the areas of professional development and governmental and legislative activities. It is a liaison to other health care groups and the public.

John Rutkauskas, Executive Director for the AAPD, explains the group's selection of TRANSFIRST, "AAPD is always looking to find new and valuable benefits to provide our members. AAPD feels that TRANSFIRST (TFHS) offers some of the most competitive merchant card processing rates in the market and has the experience necessary to meet the needs of both large and small dental practices. AAPD has processed with the management team of TRANSFIRST for 20 years and has been with TRANSFIRST Health since the day they opened their doors. We know that our members will be taken care of professionally and promptly."

"Since 2001, TRANSFIRST has focused on creating, implementing and servicing programs designed for healthcare professionals throughout the U.S with a particularly intense emphasis on the dental community", Christy Corey, President of TRANSFIRST's Health Services division explains, "And working with specialty associations offers us the opportunity to work with partners on creating very detailed, practice specific programs suited to exceed Member's expectations." Corey adds, "Attending Annual Sessions with our partners and hearing the feedback of the actual specialists we hope to serve provides invaluable information to further the benefits we aim to provide each Member. Our proven expertise gained from working with thousands of healthcare merchants daily is enhanced with each new endorsement and program we accept, further enriching the merchant experience we provide to all of our healthcare clients."

About AAPD
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), founded in 1947, is the membership organization representing the specialty of pediatric dentistry. The association currently serves more than 7000 members. The membership provides care to millions of our nation's infants, children, adolescents, and persons with special health care needs. They are the primary contributors to professional education programs and publications on pediatric oral health. The AAPD, in accordance with its vision and mission, advocates improved oral health for all children. Its advocacy activities take place within the broader health care community and with the public at local, regional, and national levels. Read more information about the AAPD at www.aapd.org.

About TRANSFIRST
A premier provider of transaction processing services and payment enabling technologies, TRANSFIRST offers a first-rate suite of products and services and customized processing programs uniquely tailored for the special business needs of financial institutions, independent sales organizations and agents and its referral and reseller partners. Through its in-depth industry knowledge, partnership strategy and innovative solutions, TRANSFIRST provides a specialized approach to transaction processing for healthcare providers, public entities, online and other non-traditional merchants, as well as brick and mortar retailers. Founded in 1995, TRANSFIRST is a market leader in strategic mergers and acquisitions, which has allowed the company to gain significant market share and world-class expertise in growing and profitable industry segments. Built on a platform of personal service, customer commitment and flexible pricing, TRANSFIRST is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has operations facilities in Louisville, Colo., Omaha, Neb., Kansas City, Kan., Newport Beach, Calif., and Milwaukee, Wis. Company wide, TRANSFIRST currently processes approximately $25 billion in annual sales volume for more than 160,000 merchants and more than 965 financial institutions. TRANSFIRST can be reached at 1-800-745-2659 or at www.TRANSFIRST.com.