“Taking care of your teeth isn’t just about having a nice smile and pleasant breath. The condition of your mouth is closely tied to your overall health. Oral health is linked to diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and more.”
-Everyday Health
Traditionally, dental benefits have been insulated from employers’ cost-cutting efforts because of their low cost. However, the rising cost of health coverage is now having a direct impact on employers deciding whether or not to continue offering dental coverage. Eliminating dental benefits may not be the best move for employers as most workers tend to place significant value in having solid dental care. Dental benefits may seem like just another expense, but the risks of not providing dental benefits could be more costly. This could include significant medical expenses that could have been avoided as well as difficulty attracting and retaining premium talent. The hiring environment is extremely competitive in this day and age and companies with a complete benefits package have a distinct advantage.
In addition, the strong link between oral health and overall medical health is leading to more and more integration between the fields of medicine and dentistry. As a result, dental benefits have become a more vital component of total benefit packages and wellness programs. Millions of work hours and even days are lost each year to workers with dental problems. Lack of coverage is the main reason people don’t go the dentist. The unfortunate result of this inaction can lead to more costly medical and dental expenditures in the future, for the employer as well as the employee.
There are numerous types of dental plans from Managed Care Plans to Fee for Service Plans. Dental programs can be Employer Sponsored or Voluntary. In addition, dental programs can be fully insured or self-funded. To find out which dental program is right for your valued employees, contact your LaPorte representative.