Employers save money when employees use preventive dental benefits: 5 observations

The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America published a study indicating employers can lower premiums when employees use their dental benefits.

Guardian analyzed dental claims from 2011 to 2017, categorizing employer groups based on preventive and major services within the company. Groups were then categorized as high preventive utilization and low preventive utilization employers.

Here are five observations:

1. Researchers found high preventive utilization employers spend 39 percent more on preventative care; however, they spent 86 percent less on major and restorative dental services.

2. The high utilization group also had 16 percent lower preventive and major dental claims costs than the low preventive utilization group.

3. Guardian found millennials were the least likely to go to the dentist twice a year, citing cost as the primary reason for the lack in visits.

4. Forty percent of adults delayed recommended procedures or skipped exams due to higher out-of-pocket costs.

5. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, more than 90 percent of all systemic disease produce oral signs and symptoms.

"Encouraging employees to regularly visit their dentists not only promotes employee wellness – it can save a company money when it comes time to renew their group policy," said Marc Costantini, executive vice president of group and worksite markets at Guardian. "When insurers see claim costs on big-ticket items go down, there is an opportunity to lower premiums for employers and their employees."

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