The number of businesses offering dental benefits has grown considerably since 2000, according to the 2014 Employer Health Benefits Survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation/Health Research and Educational Trust. The nationwide survey took into account the size and region of firms when calculating the percentage of businesses offering dental benefits as a part of their health insurance benefits.
In 2000, only 31% of all businesses offered dental benefits. Today, 53% of employers offer dental benefits in 2014.
Large employers (200 or more employees) are more likely than small employers (3-199 employees) to offer or contribute to a separate dental health benefit. Among large employers, 88% offered dental benefits. Although the percentage of small employers offering dental benefits increased from 30% in 2000 to 52% in 2014, the difference is obvious.
Regionally, workers in the Midwest received employer-sponsored dental benefits more often: about 60% of the Midwest region companies offered dental benefits, compared to only 45% in the West.
The survey results are encouraging and may show that an increasing number of employers recognize the relationship between oral health and overall health. Offering dental benefits may also help employers attract new talent, as new grads rank dental insurance among the top five most important workplace benefits.
