Should you get dental and vision benefits for your employees?

Key takeaways

• Dental and vision plans can offer strong value for businesses of all sizes. In 2025, group dental plan premiums range from $18 to $35 per month for employee-only coverage, with family coverage averaging up to $124 per month — according to Delta Dental and the UBA Trends Report. Vision plans are often even more affordable, with many group rates falling below $10 per month per employee. These benefits help small businesses compete with larger employers by enhancing their total compensation package — all while keeping costs manageable.
• Routine dental and vision care may help detect serious health conditions early. This may include conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain cancers — potentially leading to better health outcomes and lower long-term medical costs for both employees and employers. Preventive coverage may also help reduce absenteeism, costly emergency care, and lost productivity.
• Small businesses have flexible, budget-friendly options to offer dental and vision coverage. These include traditional group plans, tax-advantaged HRAs (like QSEHRA and ICHRA), and voluntary benefits employees can opt into. These choices allow employers to provide valuable coverage without taking on high financial risk.

Why dental and vision insurance matters

When building a competitive employee benefits package, medical insurance often takes center stage — but dental and vision insurance should not be overlooked. These benefits can be affordable for employers and also highly valued by employees, playing a significant role in recruitment, retention, and overall workforce health.

According to the 2025 State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness Report by Delta Dental, out of 1,000 nationally-represented adults surveyed, 91% agreed that oral health is an essential part of their overall health — a near-complete understanding that reinforces the importance of dental care in keeping employees healthy and productive.

Likewise, a recent VSP Vision Care survey found that 9 out of 10 employees say it’s important for their employer to provide vision benefits; and 72% said that they would be more likely to take a job with a company that offers vision insurance.

Let’s explore the potential impact of offering dental and vision insurance, the different types of plans to consider, and how your business can get started.

Why it helps to offer dental and vision insurance

1. Helps with hiring and keeping employees

In today’s competitive hiring environment, the right benefits package can make all the difference. Dental and vision insurance help companies stand out without significantly increasing benefit costs. These perks can be especially valuable to employees with families, who often prioritize preventive care for their dependents.

2. Prevents bigger health issues

Both dental and vision exams are crucial for identifying health problems early:

• Dental checkups can potentially help uncover signs of diabetes, heart disease, and oral cancers.
• Eye exams may help detect issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, and glaucoma.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that oral health is a key part of overall health—and poor dental hygiene can lead to serious complications and increased medical costs. Preventive care can save both employees and employers in the long run.

3. Fewer sick days, better focus

Oral health issues are a leading cause of missed work. According to the CareQuest Institute, an estimated 92 million work hours are lost each year due to unplanned dental visits in the U.S. This disruption disproportionately affects working-age adults and low-income employees, many of whom lack good access to dental care.

Similarly, untreated vision problems can reduce workplace productivity —especially in jobs that involve screen time or precise manual tasks. By offering dental and vision benefits, employers can help reduce absenteeism and keep their teams focused and productive.

What types of coverage can employers offer?

When considering whether to offer dental and vision benefits, it’s important to understand the broader health insurance landscape. Here’s a quick breakdown of your options as an employer:

1. Group Health Insurance Plans

This traditional model involves an employer purchasing health, dental, and/or vision coverage from a private insurer for their employees.

Pros:

• Often includes bundled dental and vision options
• Employer pays part of the premium
• Familiar and comprehensive coverage

Best for: Employers with 2 or more employees seeking predictable group coverage.

2. Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs)

HRAs let employers reimburse employees — tax-free — for individual insurance premiums and qualified medical expenses.

Two popular types:

• Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement (QSEHRA): For companies with fewer than 50 employees
• Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA): For businesses of any size, with more customization

Pros:

• Employers control the budget
• Employees choose their own plans, including dental and vision

Best for: Employers seeking flexibility or offering benefits to remote teams.

3. Voluntary benefits

Dental and vision insurance can be offered on a voluntary basis, meaning the employer enables access to group rates, but employees pay the full cost.

Pros:

• No direct cost to the employer
• Enhances the overall benefits package

Best for: Employers with tight budgets who still want to provide meaningful options.

4. Bundled coverage

Some insurance providers offer medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance as part of a bundled package. This simplifies administration and may reduce premiums.

Best for: Employers looking for a one-stop-shop experience with simplified billing.

What does eHealth offer to employers?

At eHealth, we help businesses of all sizes explore flexible, affordable group health insurance options — including group dental and vision insurance. Here’s how we can support your business:

• Access to leading carriers: Compare plans from multiple providers in one place.
• Licensed insurance agents who serve as advisors: Our team helps guide you through selection and enrollment.
• Flexible plan types: Choose from traditional group plans, level-funded options, or HRAs.
• Standalone dental and vision plans: Whether you need full coverage or voluntary benefits, we offer customizable packages.

And if you’re a small business, we also help you determine eligibility for programs like the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit — a benefit that can help offset your premium costs when you provide employee health insurance.

Conclusion: A small investment with a big impact

Offering dental and vision benefits can be a strategic, cost-effective way to enhance your employee benefits package. These plans not only support your team’s overall health and well-being — they also demonstrate that your company is committed to their long-term success.

At eHealth, we make it simple to compare plans and choose the right coverage for your team. Whether you’re a small business owner exploring group insurance for the first time or a growing company ready to expand your offerings, we’re here to help.

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