Dental coverage is a great employee benefit, but it’s not free. Many dental plans have deductibles, annual maximums and limits on procedures. Look for a program that offers fewer limitations, with a wide choice of dentists, or a reduced fee-for-service option with no deductible or maximum. Also, a project with convenient online self-service resources and expert service is a plus.
Increased Productivity
While it may seem counterintuitive, offering a small business dental plan can improve productivity by encouraging employees to seek regular care and prevent more serious oral health problems down the road. This can help minimize the number of lost work hours due to dental emergencies and other unforeseen health concerns, such as cardiovascular disease or osteoporosis. Dental insurance can be expensive for small businesses, especially if the employer pays 100% of the premiums or sets up pre-tax deductions. However, there are some cost-effective options for companies of any size. For example, group dental savings plans offer an affordable solution that allows small groups to use their collective buying power to save on dental services for a fraction of the cost of traditional insurance. They also typically lack the annual limits and restrictions of conventional insurance. When choosing a dental plan, select one that provides comprehensive coverage updated to the current standard of care. For example, a plan should provide composite “white” fillings, sealants for children and other modern treatments. Additionally, conduct periodic competitive market checks and put the dental benefit out to bid to ensure that costs and benefits align with market norms.
Increased Employee Satisfaction
Dental coverage is a highly valued employee benefit. It’s the third most requested insurance option after group health insurance and a company retirement plan. A healthy workforce is a productive one. Employees with serious oral health problems are more likely to miss work, and this can be costly to a business. Access to regular cleanings and other dental care decreases the risk of these problems and helps employees return to their jobs feeling healthy. Dental plans are only sometimes expensive for small businesses compared to health insurance. Many small businesses offer a dental savings plan, similar to a buyers’ club, and provide affordable dental care to their staff. This flexible option gives employers more competitive benefits than traditional group dental insurance. Regardless of what type of plan you choose, look for a carrier that has dental industry expertise. This will ensure your employees receive the best possible coverage and convenient access to network providers. Also, look for a company that offers support your employees can count on. This includes self-service website resources and a user-friendly network search tool.
Reduced Risk of Serious Oral Health Issues
Employees who don’t visit the dentist regularly run a higher risk of developing serious oral health problems that can require costly treatments and cause them to miss work. This can result in a loss of productivity for the company and employee satisfaction. The good news is that encouraging routine cleanings and checkups can help to prevent these problems. Additionally, studies have shown that visiting the dentist helps reduce the number of times employees need to use their group health plan for other ailments. This can result in fewer sick days, lower healthcare costs and more productive employees. Offering a dental plan is one of the easiest ways for small business owners to help keep their workforce healthy and happy. Ensure your plan covers routine cleanings, checkups, and basic restorative procedures. Also, look for a program that doesn’t have excessively high premiums. It’s important to consider the deductible, coinsurance and annual maximum (the maximum amount an insurance provider will pay out in a plan year before the employee is responsible for charges). The right plan can save your company money and ensure employees get the proper treatment they need.
Increased Employee Retention
Employee retention is an important issue for any business. High employee turnover can lead to significant costs associated with recruiting, training and onboarding new employees. It can also negatively impact workflow and patient care quality. Dental practices can mitigate these problems by offering attractive benefits packages that help attract and retain talent. Employees who receive regular dental care are healthier overall, which can reduce their risk of serious oral health issues that could result in lost hours of work.
Furthermore, during these appointments, dentists can screen for other health issues, such as high blood pressure or sleep apnea, helping to detect potential problems before they become severe. Dental practices can create a competitive employment package that attracts and retains talented employees by providing comprehensive dental coverage and other attractive employee benefits such as tuition reimbursement or a 401(k) plan with an employer match. This, in turn, can help improve staff morale and company productivity. Employee satisfaction and loyalty can translate into long-term financial success for a dental practice. The key is finding the right plan to meet each employee’s needs.
Increased Employee Engagement
Adding dental coverage as an option to your employees’ benefits package shows you care about their oral health and can help you attract top talent. Benefits packages are a major factor in the decision-making process for potential employees and can make the difference between them accepting your job offer or moving on to another company. Often, a poor quality plan will encourage your employees to go to the dentist and may result in them missing work due to pain or fear of high costs. However, great dental plans should go beyond the basic coverage and provide access to tools and resources for navigating their dental needs. Choosing the right plan for your employees will depend on their demographics and other factors. Some companies may offer a dental PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) plan that provides a large network of providers. Others, such as those looking for a more cost-effective option for their employee base, might opt for a dental HMO or dental health maintenance organization, which trades lower premiums in exchange for less patient flexibility.