Dental and vision coverage is critical to a comprehensive small business benefits package. Studies show that employees value these health benefits even more than pay raises.
Offering a group dental savings plan can be an affordable alternative to traditional insurance. Members pay a low annual fee to access a network of dentists who agree to provide discounted services.
Boost Employee Morale
Employee morale is a critical factor for business success. Research shows happy employees are more productive, engaged, and less likely to take sick days. Offering group dental insurance is one way to show your employees you care about their health and well-being.
When employees have a healthy oral cavity, they’re less likely to suffer from other issues that can affect their overall health, like heart disease and diabetes. As a result, you may save on medical expenses.
Small business owners need to keep their team informed of their oral health so they can identify and treat issues before they escalate into more significant problems. You can host regular dental office visits or send out educational emails and brochures to do this.
Providing group dental plans for small business is also an excellent way to attract and retain top talent in a competitive job market. Studies show that candidates value comprehensive benefits packages, including dental coverage, over pay raises.
Reduce Sick Days
Dental care is a crucial part of overall health. Studies show that poor oral hygiene can contribute to heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and other severe conditions. Offering group dental insurance as a company benefit can help your employees stay healthy and productive by reducing the number of days they miss work due to pain, infections, or other oral issues.
Many small businesses are not required to offer group dental or vision plans as part of their employee benefits package, but they can be a valuable addition. Depending on your business needs and budget, they can be used as add-ons to health insurance plans or offered alone.
Group dental coverage typically includes preventative visits, annual exams and X-rays, and essential restorative services like fillings and extractions. An extensive range includes orthodontic treatments such as braces and even more expensive restorations such as crowns and bridges.
The best small business dental insurance plans will cover a wide range of treatments, provide cost protections, and limit the amount your employees must pay for services. When shopping for plans, find out which dentists are in the network and whether or not they’re considered “preferred.” You should also ask your broker if the plan covers more modern treatments, such as composite white fillings and sealants, and how it handles discounts for out-of-network services or visits to non-preferred providers.
Increase Productivity
Employees getting regular dental care are less likely to experience serious oral health problems that can lead to missed work hours. This helps them stay healthy and productive, which is good for business. Dentists do more than look at teeth; they can also screen for other health conditions like high blood pressure and sleep apnea.
A group dental benefits plan is an excellent tool for small businesses to attract and retain top talent. It shows employees that management cares about their health and well-being. Additionally, employees who use their dental coverage are two to three times more likely to visit a dentist than those without it. This leads to improved productivity, which is vital for any small business.
One of the most critical factors in a group dental insurance plan is its provider network. Preferred provider organization (PPO) plans typically have extensive networks of dental providers that offer discounted rates for plan members. These lower fees make seeing in-network providers more cost-effective than going out-of-network.
Reviewing the size and quality of a dental provider network regularly is essential. An analysis of the utilization of a given procedure type can uncover targeted opportunities for network improvement that enhance employee satisfaction and reduce costs. In addition, a benchmarking study can compare the price of services in-network versus out-of-network to ensure the plan is competitive with the market.
Save Money
Health and dental insurance plans cost money, but it’s an investment that pays dividends for your employees and your bottom line. Employees who are happy and healthy work harder and are less likely to miss work due to illness or pain. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, employee absences due to health problems cost employers $1,685 annually for each full-time worker.
Group dental and vision insurance is often much cheaper than traditional small business health insurance, offering the same protections. eHealth’s dental and vision plans start at $10 monthly per person.
The type of plan you choose will significantly impact how affordable it is for your employees. For example, a dental Preferred Provider Organization (DPPO) plan typically has an extensive network of providers that have negotiated their fees with the insurance provider. In-network dentists will have lower out-of-pocket costs for your employees.
An indemnity or fee-for-service plan offers a more extensive choice of dentists but requires a copayment for procedures. They may also have a deductible and an annual maximum. On the other hand, dental savings plans do not have a limited network and do not require copayments or a deductible. They also do not involve filing a claim with an insurance company. As a result, they are much easier to manage than traditional plans.
