Keep Your Small Business Employees Smiling | Dental and Vision Benefits
Posted on May 19, 2015 in Insurance
*Updated September 2023
While some small businesses may decide to offer robust benefit plans as a kind thing to do for employees, more businesses are finding it is a strategic move as well. According to an article from Indeed, offering benefits like dental and vision coverage to employees increases their productivity and “helps keep and find talented employees.”
Small business dental and vision plans are good for recruiting purposes, increasing your business’s bottom line and more!
The benefits of healthy employees
According to a study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that looked at work hours lost due to dental visits, “a total of 92.4 million hours were lost for unplanned visits.” This statistic highlights how important it is to have healthy workers in your business.. Investing in a small business dental plan can help keep employees productive and at work.
By encouraging preventive care and offering dental and vision benefits in your small business, you can also help decrease your staff’s risk of developing serious health problems, which may also contribute to lost hours of work.
Small business dental plans go beyond oral health
Employees with dental benefits are able to schedule preventive visits with healthcare professionals who can screen them for potential health risks. During dental appointments, dentists do more than just evaluate teeth. They’re also screening for health problems like high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and heart disease.
Detecting serious health problems early can help your employees treat them quickly, before they worsen.
Small business vision plans are good for health and your wallet
Offering employer vision benefits are also instrumental when it comes to maintaining a healthy workforce. Not being able to see can negatively impact quality of life and cause increased headaches, eye pain, and eyestrain, impacting daily activities at home and work. Healthy vision is important for overall health and happiness.
Also, as an employer you’ll save money annually per employee when you offer supplemental vision benefits because healthy eyes lead to greater productivity from workers. Employees who work with uncorrected vision issues, however, are more likely to experience headaches, which can lead to absenteeism and potential errors.
Small businesses with dental and vision benefits attract and keep top talent
Employees desire a comprehensive benefits package when looking for a job or considering whether to leave a job. According to a survey from the Society for Human Resource Management, 89 percent said health-related benefits like dental and vision insurance are “very important” or “extremely important” when it comes to accepting a job. If you aren’t offering a comprehensive benefits package, you may be missing out on top talent.
Additionally, businesses and organizations that offer benefits have lower turnover rates than those without them. According to PeopleKeep.com, some of the top reasons organizations experience high turnover rates include a “lack of or poor employee benefits and annual compensation.”
Choosing your small business dental and vision plan
If you’re ready to find the perfect small business dental and vision plan that fits the needs of you and your employees, Delta Dental of Iowa can help. Visit our employer section online to start collecting information on small business dental and vision plans. Contact us if you have any questions.
Looking for more information about the benefits of dental and vision insurance? Check out, "Why Dental Insurance?" and “Why employers should offer vision benefits.”