WHY GROUPS OFFER DENTAL BENEFITS
The incentives and rewards for small employers to offer their employees dental benefits are many. For decades dental benefits have been shown to reduce absenteeism, improve morale, and enhance performance. Research increasingly shows the link between oral health and overall health. That research is even beginning to show that receiving dental care can reduce personal medical expenses.
Despite these compelling benefits, there are still more than 135 million Americans without any dental coverage, most of whom are employees of small employers who can't afford the high cost of dental insurance. So what can small employers offer to their employees that is affordable and offers meaningful savings?
The solution may be found in a 2001 survey by Health Allies. That survey found that as far back as five years ago employees understood that medical costs were making it difficult for employers to provide ancillary health care benefits, and 86 percent of the employees surveyed simply wanted access to discounts for those services which their employers couldn't afford. Employees even indicated a willingness to pay for access to discounts.
Click here - DENTAL DISCOUNT PLANS: A GROWING TREND - to continue reading "Group Dental Discount Plans: It's Not Insurance - It's Better."
© 2007 Aspen Publishers, Inc. Jan 2007. Employee Benefit Plan Review 2007