5 Ways to Encourage Employees to Use Their Dental Benefits
The Value of Dental Benefits in the Workplace
A strong dental plan is far more than a side benefit—it’s integral to a thriving, healthy workplace. Employees using their dental coverage leads to better oral health, reduced risk of associated medical conditions, and, often, a more positive view of their employer. Yet, many employees don’t take full advantage of their dental benefits despite covered cleanings and checkups. To change this, organizations are seeking innovative ways to drive engagement and make the most of their investment in dental insurance for employers. When dental care becomes a workplace norm, absenteeism drops and overall satisfaction grows.
Employers who focus on promoting dental plan participation are recognizing a direct connection between oral health and overall workplace well-being. According to the American Dental Association, regular dental visits lower rates of major dental disease and save significant healthcare costs over time. This underscores the need for strategies that remove barriers and make dental care easy, visible, and stress-free.
Educate Employees About Their Dental Plan
Many employees skip dental visits simply because they don’t know what their plan covers or how to use it. Clarity and education are essential. Offering simple, jargon-free materials like plan summaries, FAQs, or explainer videos can quickly demystify benefits. Regular benefits meetings, lunch-and-learn sessions, or onboarding briefings ensure that everyone knows about their entitlements. Digital resources placed in employee portals mean that help is always accessible, whether someone is at home or in the office.
Beyond the coverage details, it’s powerful to highlight why preventive care is important. Share research, such as the fact that untreated dental disease causes millions of lost work hours annually, as reported by the ADA. Personal stories or testimonials can also help employees see real value in booking that next dental appointment, showing the rewards that regular care brings.
Make Dental Benefits Easy to Access and Use
Streamlining the usage process increases the likelihood that employees will schedule their checkups and cleanings. Accessible benefit materials, online claim filing, and mobile-friendly provider directories can make navigating coverage quick and painless. Employees are far more likely to use their benefits if it takes just a few clicks to find a nearby in-network dentist and schedule an appointment.
Some organizations leverage external tools or apps, simplifying claim tracking and appointment management. These user-centric features remove friction from the process and make dental benefits more relevant and visible in employees’ day-to-day lives. According to SHRM research, companies providing digital access to benefits information have markedly higher engagement rates than those relying solely on printed packets or in-person explanations.
Use Reminders and Communications Effectively
Life gets busy, and dental appointments can be easy to forget. Employers that use timely reminders—via email, text, or internal communications platforms—see much greater uptake in preventive care. Automated nudges around open enrollment, or simple annual reminders to schedule a cleaning, can double participation rates. These messages work best when they’re friendly, concise, and actionable, including a link to book directly with an in-network provider.
Consistent messaging is also key outside of annual enrollment windows. Monthly newsletters, bulletin board posts, or brief team meeting shout-outs can all reinforce the value of dental health and keep benefits top-of-mind. Sharing relevant health content—like oral hygiene tips or the connection between dental and heart health—can make reminders more engaging and less transactional.
Incentivize Preventive Dental Visits
Sometimes, a nudge in the form of a reward can be just the push employees need to prioritize their dental health. Incentive programs—such as gift cards, wellness points, or even small cash bonuses for verified preventive visits—can substantially boost dental benefit usage. Contests for departments with the highest participation rates or acknowledgment for individuals who complete annual exams bring a sense of fun and encourage participation.
Rewards don’t need to be extravagant to be effective. Even low-cost incentives signal that the organization values employee well-being. Over time, these gestures foster a positive culture where preventive care becomes a shared goal. Aligning incentives with company wellness programs helps employees see dental care as part of a broader health commitment.
Promote Dental Health as Part of Overall Wellness
Connecting dental benefits to holistic wellness initiatives builds awareness and makes oral health a priority for every employee. Incorporate dental messaging into company-wide wellness programs, health fairs, and fitness challenges. Invite dental professionals to speak during wellness weeks or offer screenings alongside other health checks.
This integration supports a preventive mindset, illustrating how oral health impacts conditions like diabetes and heart health, as noted in numerous medical studies. When employers consider dental health equally important to nutrition, exercise, and stress management, employees are more likely to act. Many organizations have seen higher benefit utilization and improved satisfaction by framing dental plans as a critical part of total well-being.
Summary: Cultivating a Health-Focused Workplace
Making dental benefits accessible, easy to use, and integrated into the culture is key to driving participation. By prioritizing practical education, leveraging reminders, offering meaningful rewards, and connecting oral health to workplace wellness, employers help team members make the most of their coverage. The payoff is clear: fewer sick days, greater productivity, a happier workforce, and a reputation as an employer who cares.
