How to Encourage Employees to Use Their Dental Benefits Effectively

Posted on March 24, 2025 in Insurance

Providing dental benefits to your employees is a meaningful way to show you prioritize their health and well-being. However, if those benefits go unused, it’s almost as if they weren’t offered at all.

Encouraging employees to utilize their dental benefits is essential! When employees make the most of their coverage, it can lead to healthier smiles, improved overall well-being, and even greater workplace productivity.

Best ways to encourage the use of dental benefits 

Small and simple changes can make a big difference in helping your employees maximize their benefits.

• Educate your employees about their dental benefits.
  • If your employees don’t know details about the coverage they receive through your company, it can be easy for them to forget all about it. Resolve this issue by providing clear, easy-to-read information about preventive care, covered procedures, and finding an in-network dentist. Informational pamphlets, presentations, and visits from your dental insurance provider are all great resources for educating your staff about their dental benefits.
• Focus on the importance of preventive care.
  • Encourage employees to schedule regular check-ups and cleanings. These visits help prevent costly dental issues down the road. Send reminders or include dental care tips in company newsletters to reinforce this habit.
• Consider providing small incentives.
  • Offer incentives like gift cards or lunch to employees who regularly use their dental benefits. This could be just the encouragement your team needs to schedule their dental visits.
• Make it easy to schedule appointments.
  • One of the best ways to show your employees you want them to use their dental benefits is to make it easy for them to get the care they need. Offer flexible scheduling options, reminders, and time-off policies for preventive care to make it easier for employees to prioritize their health.
• Ensure dental benefits information is easy to access.
  • If dental benefits information is difficult to access, employees may struggle to understand and utilize their coverage. Ensure details about their dental benefits are readily available on your company’s intranet or HR portal for easy reference. 

Offering dental benefits is no longer an option

There was a time when dental benefits were considered optional for employees. But today, the landscape has changed. A comprehensive benefits package plays a crucial role in a candidate’s decision to accept a job offer, making dental coverage more important than ever. 

Delta Dental of Iowa is here to help you find the ideal dental plan tailored to your company and employees' needs. Whether you’re a large organization or a small business, we have flexible group plans designed to keep your team smiling.

Dental benefits help keep your workforce healthy and happy

When employees take full advantage of their dental benefits, they’re more likely to maintain better overall health, experience fewer dental emergencies, and feel valued by their employer. Encouraging benefit utilization doesn’t just help employees, it also reduces healthcare costs and boosts workplace morale. 

Want to learn more about the importance of offering dental insurance? Check out “5 Ways to Help Your Employees Prepare for Open Enrollment”.