Leverage Dental Benefits for Greater Health Outcomes

While healthcare costs continue to rise, employees still rely on dental and other benefits to help manage their health-related expenses.

The National Association of Dental Plans’ 2025 State of the Dental Benefits Market report noted a steady rise in voluntary employer dental plans uptake over the early years of this decade, from 30% in 2021 to 51% in 2024. As employers shift some costs to their teams to maintain benefits offerings, employees are willing to pick up the tab to keep their coverage.

“Understanding employee behavior is essential to providing employer-sponsored dental plans that perform successfully,” says Tammy Barry, vice president of Ameritas dental and vision sales and marketing. “As we prepare for 2027, these insights can help producers position dental benefits not only as a cost-savings mechanism but a catalyst for driving the whole-body health today’s workforce seeks.”

Dental Benefits Support Total Well-Being

In a 2025 global survey of over 5,000 employees, Wellhub found that 85% of respondents believed employers should support their well-being; 88% said well-being is as important as their salary. With an increasing focus on holistic well-being, medical benefits are no longer the sole resource employees rely on to maintain whole-body health.

It’s known that oral and overall health are connected. Studies reported in the U.S. National Institutes of Health National Library of Medicine link periodontal disease and harmful oral bacteria to systemic health issues. Even oral and mental health influence one another. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Dental Association reported an increase in teeth grinding, broken teeth, and temporomandibular joint disorder, all linked to increased stress.

“There is no shortage of data to prove the importance of dental health—and, therefore, benefits—in maintaining overall health,” Barry says. “But it’s equally important to show employers how dental coverage impacts employees’ financial well-being.”

Inexpensive or fully covered preventive visits enable dentists to identify oral health issues early so employees can seek care before conditions worsen and treatment becomes more costly.

A 2024 Artemis Health study reported that dental plan members with diabetes and coronary artery disease who had one or two dental cleanings per year spent less on medical costs annually than those who did not visit the dentist. However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that adults with diabetes are 40% more likely to have untreated cavities than those without the disease. The same research shows that dental plan members with chronic health conditions tend to miss preventive visits. This is where effective employee benefits communication becomes key.

Benefits Education Drives Employee Behavior

A 2026 survey from Ameritas and Employee Benefits News found that while most employees believe they understand their dental benefits, less than half know the plan details and were surprised by their out-of-pocket costs after receiving dental care. More than half of employees surveyed felt unprepared when both choosing and using dental benefits.

“This education gap presents an opportunity,” Barry says. “Producers and dental insurers who package dental coverage with employee education and communication rise above the competition.”

Plan-specific enrollment websites, videos, or brochures explain coverage, emphasizing preventive care benefits and network savings. Cost examples and estimates help employees avoid surprises when seeking dental care. Wellness content illustrates the connection between oral and overall health. A strategic communication plan keeps employees informed and engaged with their health and benefits year-round, not just during enrollment.

Employers and HR professionals juggling various responsibilities are eager for benefits experts to help them implement strategies that change employee behavior and ultimately meet expectations for benefits that improve health and cost savings. Barry says Ameritas includes employee benefits education and communication as part of its dental coverage. “We know producers and employers have their hands full. We use our expertise to ensure employees are prepared to use their dental benefits and get the most value from them.”

Work with an Expert in 2027

A dental benefits carrier that tracks employee behavior and shares insights and expertise can help producers position dental coverage as an affordable benefit that supports employee health, financial well-being, and workforce satisfaction.

“There’s no question dental coverage delivers value on its own,” Barry says. “But dental benefits that boost the overall value of employer benefits are more than competitive. They’re a direct response to employees’ increasing demand for total health programs.”