When employees evaluate job offers or consider whether to stay with their current employer, dental benefits consistently rank among the top factors. It's a benefit that employees notice — and miss when it's not there.
The connection between dental benefits and retention is well-documented. Employees with comprehensive dental coverage report higher overall job satisfaction and are more likely to stay with their employer long-term. The inverse is also true — employees without dental coverage are more likely to cite benefits as a reason for leaving.
Part of the appeal is practical. Dental care is expensive, and employees feel the cost directly when they don't have coverage. A quality dental plan reduces that financial stress and signals that the employer cares about their overall wellbeing.
There's also a health connection that resonates with employees. Oral health is increasingly recognized as connected to overall health — research has linked periodontal disease to cardiovascular disease, diabetes complications, and other systemic conditions. Employees who understand this connection value dental coverage even more highly.
For employers, the cost of offering dental benefits is often lower than expected — particularly when compared to the cost of turnover. Replacing an employee typically costs 50% to 200% of their annual salary when you factor in recruiting, onboarding, and lost productivity.
The key is offering a plan that employees actually value — one with meaningful preventive coverage, reasonable cost-sharing, and access to a broad network of providers. Working with an experienced benefits advisor ensures you're getting the right plan at the right price.
