As an employer, you know that those in the market for a job are looking beyond salary to what benefits you’re offering. And they love seeing a prospective position that provides employee dental benefits. In fact, 82% of consumers surveyed stated that dental benefits were “very important” in their decision to take a new job. 54% said dental benefits were a must-have. Employees aren’t missing out on the fact that they need dental coverage. The problem arises when we look at if they’re actually using their coverage. One in four consumers who have dental coverage has not been to the dentist in the past 12 months.
Clearly, there’s a disruption happening. Employees want dental benefits, but they’re not using them, and that costs you, the business owner, more money. Not only are you providing benefits that are not being used… Because your employees are not going to the dentist, they are at risk for health problems, as well as an increase in absences from work and a lower quality of life.
Additionally, if a parent isn’t going to the dentist, you can bet they may not be taking their child, either. Parents miss two and a half days of work a year due to their children’s dental problems. Whether it’s fear, cost, or time that’s keeping your employees out of the dental chair, there’s a solution to motivate them.
Stop this problem in its tracks by letting your employees know just exactly why dental benefits are essential, helpful, and healthy, and why maintaining dental health is a necessary part of a healthy lifestyle.
BOOST EMPLOYEE DENTAL CARE WITH NEWSLETTERS
As a good business owner, you know keeping up consistent communication with your employees is important to their engagement at work and the retention of their job. Kill two birds with one stone by prompting employees to take notice of their dental health in a monthly newsletter! Include pertinent human resources info, company details, and bring up holidays like National Children’s Dental Health Month in February or National Dental Hygiene Month in October! There’s even dental health assessment quizzes you can use to get the conversation going, like the LifeSmile Assessment Quiz!
Here’s a list of a few more holidays we like to use to celebrate dental health and hygiene:
January
- New Year’s Resolutions
February
- National Children’s Dental Health Month
- American Heart Month
- National Donor Day
- National tooth fairy day 2/28 (twice a year)
March
- National Nutrition Month
- National Dentist Day 3/6
- American Diabetes Association Alert Day
- Root Canal Awareness Week 3/30 – 4/5
April
- National Facial Protection Month
- World Allergy Week 4/2-4/8
- World Health Day 4/7
May
- World No Tobacco Day 5/31
August
- National tooth fairy day 8/22 (twice a year)
September
- National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
- National Gum Care Month
- Fruit and Veggie Month
- Healthy Aging Month
October
- National Dental Hygiene Month
- Healthy Lung Month
November
- Mouth Cancer Awareness Month
- National TMJ Awareness Month
- American Diabetes Month
Pick and choose a few holidays to highlight in your workplace. Not only do these holidays help spread awareness, but they also provide a reminder about why employee dental care is essential. Employee dental benefits from Delta Dental make consistent preventive care easier.
INCENTIVES AND COMPETITIONS
As you know, dental health impacts overall health, and overall health impacts attendance! Support your employees’ wellness by allowing them to go to the dentist and other medical appointments when they need to.
Many companies are jumping on the bandwagon when it comes to health-related competitions and wellness-challenges at work. Take supporting employee wellness one step further by giving them opportunities and access in the workplace.
Some popular employee wellness programs are geared towards steps-a-day, while others have healthy cooking demonstrations on site. Bring employee dental health into the equation, too. For example, consider creating a rewards system for acknowledging employees when they have their twice-yearly dentist appointments.
Whether it’s a gift card or a shout out at the monthly meeting, making employee dental care part of the conversation at work benefits everyone involved. Don’t forget about reminders to get a new toothbrush every three months! Consider supplying toothbrushes and adding your company logo for a new type of brand “swag.”
We’re all about advocating for healthier smiles and bodies. This flyer is a great bulletin-board accessory to help keep healthy habits top of mind:
Take advantage of an easy win-win situation and encourage employees to go to the dentist and utilize their employee dental benefits. Share this link internally to guide employees toward finding a dentist in their area.
