Dental & Vision
Dental Coverage
Group dental coverage is one of the highest-used benefits in any package, employees expect it, use it annually, and notice when it's absent. A well-designed dental plan covers preventive care at 100%, basic restorative work at meaningful levels, and major services with reasonable cost-sharing.
Coverage Principle
Dental Coverage should be reviewed against real exposure, not assumed from the coverage label.
The real issue is not whether the coverage exists; it is whether the limits, exclusions, eligibility rules, definitions, contracts, people, property, timing, and carrier requirements match how the risk actually shows up. When those details are not reviewed before renewal or enrollment, a policy can look complete on paper while the most important conditions remain unclear until someone tries to use it.
Dental & Vision
What You Need to Know About Dental Coverage
Preventive, Basic, and Major
Dental plans are structured in three tiers: preventive (cleanings, X-rays, typically 100% covered), basic restorative (fillings, extractions, typically 70–80% covered), and major services (crowns, bridges, dentures, typically 50% covered). Understanding the cost-sharing at each tier matters for employee experience.
Annual Maximum
Most dental plans have an annual maximum benefit, commonly $1,000–$2,000. Employees with significant dental needs will exhaust this quickly. Evaluating the maximum relative to expected employee utilization helps size the benefit appropriately.
Orthodontia
Orthodontic coverage is a separate benefit tier with a lifetime maximum, not an annual one. It's particularly relevant for workforces with younger employees or those with families. Employer-paid ortho coverage is a meaningful differentiator in competitive hiring markets.