Robert, a city clerk, had a routine visit to his dentist. During his teeth cleaning, his dentist discovered precancerous white spots on his tongue. A biopsy performed by his doctor determined that it was oral cancer. The dentist’s early detection of Robert’s cancer helped him seek treatment immediately, catching it early which saved time and money.
A Critical Component
A group dental plan is critical component to wellness plans for schools, cities and counties. Why? Because having a plan incents employees to receive preventative care. This preventative care is not just about clean teeth and a bright smile. It’s much more than that. Not only do regular cleanings help detect disease early, as in Robert’s case, but they may actually prevent certain diseases. That’s right. Studies show a relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Dental insurance is one of the most requested benefits by employees and for good reason. Employees who lack dental insurance may postpone or skip visits which could lead to more severe health problems and significant medical expenses. Dental care can actually help reduce health insurance claims by preventing illness, disease and lost time from work.
One way that school, city and county employers can boost the value of their wellness plan is adding dental insurance or increasing the benefits on an existing dental program. No money in the budget? One option is a voluntary plan that is 100% employee-paid. No matter which way you provide it, dental insurance breaks down the barrier to routine preventative dental care and can lessen the claims risk on your health insurance plan.
For tips on selecting a dental carrier, see 5 Smart Dental Insurance Shopping Tips.