*Updated April 2025
If you’re a business owner who doesn’t offer an employer-sponsored dental plan, you may be missing out on top talent! According to an article from PeopleKeep, “Providing dental insurance coverage for your employees can be a valuable investment in their health and well-being, as well as a competitive benefit that can help attract and retain top talent.”
Whether you have a small team or a growing workforce, offering dental benefits is a smart investment in both employee well-being and business success.
How to choose the right Hawaii Dental Service employer-sponsored dental plan
Selecting the right dental plan can feel overwhelming, even for experienced business owners. The best plan isn’t one-size-fits-all—it should be tailored to fit the unique needs of your company and employees.
Here are some factors you should consider when choosing what to offer in an employer-sponsored dental plan:
Employee ages and needs
The typical age groups of your employees are important to consider when evaluating your employees’ dental needs. If your team members are generally younger and have children, a plan that covers families may be very important to them.
If your staff is older, the procedures that are covered, such as dental implants or denture fittings, may take priority. If you have employees that range in ages, a dental plan that offers a variety of coverage options may be the best fit for your company.
Pro tip: If you aren’t sure what your employees are looking for in a dental plan, take the time to survey them so you know what you’ll need.
Company budget
As a business owner, it’s important that you fully understand the costs of your dental plan and make sure they align with your company budgets. Take the time to sit down with an insurance representative and go through everything that your employer-sponsored dental plan offers.
Assess the copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts required for various services. Determine if the plan offers a good balance between affordable premiums and reasonable out-of-pocket costs for employees.
Plan options
If possible, offer your employees more than one plan option for dental coverage. The two most common dental plans are Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) and Dental Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO).
PPO plan members can visit a network of dentists who offer discounted rates for covered services. Dental insurance companies contribute to these reduced fees, helping members save on out-of-pocket costs when they choose in-network providers. While PPO members can see any dentist, going out-of-network may lead to higher expenses.
HMO plans tend to be less expensive than PPO plans but don’t allow for the same flexibility. These plans prioritize preventive care and typically cover routine check-ups, cleanings, and X-rays at no additional cost or with minimal copayments. More extensive treatments such as fillings, extractions, and root canals may also be covered, but often require copayments or coinsurance.
Customer service
Evaluate the quality of customer service provided by the dental insurance company. Consider factors such as ease of claims processing, availability of online tools for managing benefits, and responsiveness to employee inquiries. A smooth administrative process can save time and frustration for both you and your employees.
Choosing the right employer-sponsored dental plans is simple!
Making the decision to give your employees dental coverage is the right choice to make and using Hawaii Dental Service makes it easy to find the right plan for you.
Don’t miss out on top talent for your business. Learn more about our employer plans and small business plans today.
