Beyond The Smile: How Dental Insurance Protects More Than Your Teeth

Escalating Dental Expenses Are Impacting Employees

Dental costs keep rising due to inflation, higher material and staffing costs, and new technologies like 3D imaging and laser treatments. The Consumer Price Index showed an increase of 7.2% for dental services between March 2025 and March 2026. These costs are passed to patients, often leaving employees and families under financial strain for an unexpected expense. For employers, this means more workers may delay or skip dental care, which can lead to greater health problems later.

Delaying preventive dental care can quickly lead to other health and financial issues. A skipped cleaning may lead to a root canal if an issue isn’t discovered early. When employees delay treatment due to cost, employers may face higher medical claims, increased absenteeism, and lower employee morale.

Employer Contributions Have Remained The Same

Despite rising dental costs, employer contributions for dental benefits have remained mostly flat. Many employers still require employees to pay full premiums, especially in construction, retail, healthcare, and social services. Nearly half of those with individual coverage and two-thirds with family coverage pay over half the premium. This gap leaves employees vulnerable and often leads them to avoid needed dental care, negatively impacting their health.

The Impact Of Delayed Care

Nearly one-third (36%) of adults said they have delayed or skipped receiving needed healthcare due to the cost. Often even emergency care is postponed, worsening outcomes. Out-of-pocket costs are still a barrier, even with insurance. Poor oral health is linked to conditions like diabetes and heart disease, raising employer healthcare costs, and absenteeism. Addressing these gaps lowers health risks and protects your company’s bottom line.

The impact on employee productivity is equally significant. Employers lose about $45 billion in productivity each year to untreated dental disease. Making dental care affordable is not just wellness — it’s a business necessity.

Bridging The Dental Care Gap

Employers play a crucial role in making dental care more accessible and affordable for their employees. Start by regularly reviewing dental benefit plan designs and considering cost-effective options such as Administrative Services Only (ASO) or experience-rated models tied to actual claims. Promote preventive care by launching targeted employee education campaigns and offering incentives for annual checkups — helping employees avoid costly procedures down the line.

Expand choice by offering basic dental insurance plans with buy-up options, allowing employees to select coverage that matches their needs and budgets. Leverage digital tools to simplify benefits administration and clearly communicate plan details, so employees can maximize the value of their coverage. By taking these steps, employers can control costs, reduce barriers to care, and foster a healthier, more engaged workforce.

How You Can Invest In Workforce Health

Rising dental costs present an opportunity for employers to make a meaningful difference in their employees’ health and productivity. By proactively adapting benefit strategies — such as reviewing plan designs, clearly communicating employee benefits, and empowering employees to prioritize preventive care — employers can foster a healthier, more engaged workforce. Investing in employees’ oral health not only supports well-being but also strengthens your organization.