One word sums up why dental benefits work, prevention.
Most dental disease is preventable, and it is less expensive for employees to seek preventive oral health care than to receive costly treatments down the road.
Take sealants for instance.
Dental sealants are plastic coatings applied to the surfaces of teeth. They fill in and seal pits and grooves of teeth, making them more resistant to bacteria that can cause cavities. Because molars are more cavity-prone, sealants are usually applied there.
When a child receives a sealant, they decrease their possible need for a filling later on. Though prices vary, filling a cavity can cost about $100, while sealants cost only about $30 to $40 per tooth.
That’s a savings of $60-$70!
Sealants are just one example of how dental insurance is structured to prevent more costly care. Other simple preventative care, like regular dental cleanings, can save you AND your employees’ lots of money, not to mention prevent time lost for more emergent procedures.
Dental insurance remains one of the most-preferred benefits among employees, and it provides an excellent opportunity for employers to differentiate themselves in the recruitment and retention process. Employees who make regular use of their dental benefits and seek routine preventive care are more likely to experience the advantages of positive oral health.
[…] Sealants are a thin, protective coating applied to the back teeth to prevent decay. They cover the enamel and seal the small spaces between the teeth. Sealants are shown to reduce decay in molars by almost 80%. […]