How Employer-Sponsored Dental Benefits Are Changing
Jessica Levco
February 19, 2025
Dental benefits are an essential part of your overall health.
Dental insurance plans offered as employment benefits are agreements between you and the insurance plan you select, Cleveland Clinic says. These plans can vary greatly because they are based on contracts between you or your employer, the dentist providing care, the insurance company, and sometimes a third-party claims administrator who handles payments.
Larger companies have more negotiating room when selecting the best benefits for employees. Small business employee benefits might not be as extensive. And, as employer-sponsored plans are evolving, you should be aware of your options for dental insurance and employee discount programs.
With Altogether Dental for Business, your employees can save 15-50% on all dental procedures — with no waiting periods, no deductibles and no claims to file. Membership covers every dental service, including routine cleanings, fillings, X-rays, crowns, orthodontics, cosmetic procedures like whitening and veneers, braces, major treatments such as root canals, and much more.
Current Trends in Employer-Sponsored Dental Benefits
Dental benefits are an essential part of your overall health, and, according to Limra, employers should provide access to dental insurance for their workers because:
74% of workers say having employee dental plans is extremely or very important.
6 out of 10 employees are interested in their employer offering dental benefits.
It also reports that 7 out of 10 employers believe their workers will be very interested in dental plans over the next five years as employment benefits.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics March 2024 report, 43% of private industry and 60% of state and local government workers had dental insurance as part of their employment benefits.
The Rise of Flexible Benefit Plans
One way employers are adding employment benefits for workers is by offering flexible benefit plans, also called “cafeteria plans,” Investopedia says. Cafeteria plans are flexible benefits plans that let employees choose from different benefits With these plans:
Plan contributions are made before taxes, which lowers taxable income.
Options include insurance benefits, employee dental plans, retirement plans, health savings accounts and support for life events.
Flexible plan options let employees choose benefits that work best for them by customizing their choices, Investopedia says, offering these examples:
Someone near retirement might opt to put more money into their 401(k) plan.
An employee with a large family might pick a health plan with wide coverage to meet their family’s needs.
Integration of Dental Benefits into Employee Discount Programs
According to the ADA, employers are adding more options for employee dental plans because:
Employees value and want dental benefits.
Plans help attract and keep good employees.
Dental care supports good oral health, which is important for overall health.
Employees are less likely to stay home and miss work because of dental problems.
Employers are also leveraging broader employee discount programs as well-being options. The ADA lists eight types of dental plans on its website, including discount plans. It says discount plans, which are not dental insurance, offer:
Savings on dental care.
Access to a network of dentists who agree to lower their prices.
Patients pay for all treatments at a discounted rate.
Originally these discount plans were for individuals, but more employers are now offering them as a dental benefit for their employees, the ADA writes.
Offering great employment benefits matters says the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP), which reports that:
74% of employees want better benefits.
Leading companies offer perks like paid sick leave, chair massages and bring-your-dog-to-work days, making strong benefits a must-have.
Over 80% of employees would rather have better benefits than a pay raise.
Dental coverage is the No. 1 most-wanted benefit after medical insurance.
Dental discount plans are one way to deliver that top-requested benefit. Altogether Dental for Business offers a solution for employee dental plans. Through our partnership with the Aetna Dental Access Network, your employees can visit over 260,000 general and specialty dentists across the country.
Challenges Faced by Small Businesses in Offering Dental Benefits
Small business owners offer health insurance to compete with larger companies that provide coverage. According to the Commonwealth Fund, they face these unique challenges:
Limited HR resources to find the best health plan deals.
Less negotiating power with insurance companies.
Higher administrative costs per employee compared to larger businesses.
According to the BLS, for businesses with fewer than 50 employees, total compensation averaged $35.27 per hour in September 2024:
Wages and salaries: $26.39 per hour
Benefit costs: $8.88 per hour
Employees can benefit from discount dental memberships because these plans help them plan and budget for care at a flat rate each month. HealthInsurance.org says dental discount plans don’t cover dental expenses; instead, they offer lower prices at participating dentists, and:
No deductibles, no waiting periods and no annual maximums.
Discounts on common dental procedures.
Plans can cost as little as $100 per year for individuals and $150 per year for families.
Remember that with Altogether Dental, your employees can save 15-50% on all dental procedures.
Emerging Trends in Employee Dental Plans
A 2018 Harvard Medical study found a direct link between gum disease and heart health. Further research supports this and also found links to blood pressure and even cancer, it says. A more recent review by Cleveland Clinic suggests that preventative dental care helps your heart.
SHRM suggests that preventive dental care benefits both employers and employee well-being, employers should design their dental communications to encourage routine cleanings and exams. It suggests sending reminders and offering online tools to educate employees about the importance of routine dental care.
Small business employee benefits should include dental coverage. SHRM notes that all employers should structure their dental benefits to encourage employees to get regular cleanings and exams. This is where dental memberships can help. With Altogether Dental for Business, your employees can save 15-50% on all dental procedures — with no waiting periods, no deductibles and no claims to file.
