Why Dental and Vision Benefits Matter for Employee Health
Dental and vision benefits have evolved from optional “extra” components to essential components of employee benefit packages as they have been shown to play vital roles in ensuring overall employee health, financial well-being, and workplace satisfaction. For public sector organizations, including school districts and municipalities, these benefits not only improve employee health but also deliver significant returns on investment in the form of improved productivity, lower absenteeism, and enhanced recruitment and retention capabilities.
Preventative Care and Early Detection
Did you know that dental and vision care serve as critical early warning systems for serious health conditions? That’s right. Before symptoms appear elsewhere in the body, regular dental exams can detect signs of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Oral bacteria, inflammation from severe gum disease, and untreated cavities are linked to serious conditions like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, and pregnancy complications. Regular eye exams often detect conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid disorders, and autoimmune diseases before patients experience symptoms. Employees who schedule and attend their routine dental and vision checkups are less likely to face serious health problems later.
Employee Productivity and Morale
Dental and/or vision issues can negatively affect employee focus, attendance, morale, and overall performance. According to findings from CareQuest Institute’s State of Oral Health Equity in America survey, adults in the U.S. miss more than 243 million hours of productivity time each year due to oral health problems – either their own oral health problems or problems of their children and other adults in their care. That lost productivity time costs an estimated $45 billion each year. Research from the Integrated Benefits Institute suggests global productivity losses due to vision impairments reached a whopping $575 billion annually.
Benefits that address dental and vision needs in an easy and affordable way show employees that their health matters and that they are valued. In turn, employers not only see improvements in employee health but also enhanced employee productivity and morale.
Employee Recruitment and Retention
In the public sector, where salaries are often set, benefits like dental and vision can make a big difference when attracting new employees and retaining existing employees. Delta Dental surveyed 1,000 nationally-represented adults in the 2025 State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness Report. Of those surveyed, 91% believe that oral health is an essential part of their overall health — reinforcing the important role that dental care plays in keeping employees healthy and productive.
Offering benefits that meet real employee health needs shows an employer’s investment in its workforce. A recent VSP Vision Care survey found that 90% of 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 benefits.
Costs and Savings
While providing dental and vision benefits come with upfront costs, the savings found through preventative care have been shown to reduce more expensive claims over time – directly affecting the bottom line. Organizations can save money when renewing dental insurance plans because their employees are healthier.
Dental and vision benefits not only help employees stay healthy and productive, but also help keep costs manageable. Regular preventative care checkups catch problems early and thus avoid the expense of major conditions and procedures later. It’s a win-win!
Working with benefits experts can make it easier to create a plan that fits both your staff’s needs and your budget. VSMG has spent over 20 years working with Arizona’s public sector employers to design benefits programs that meet their employees’ needs. If you’re building or updating your employee benefits strategy, contact us today to learn how VSMG can help design a program that supports both your employees and your organization’s goals.
About VSMG
Built by and for Arizona public sector employers, VSMG is a leading employee benefits consultant dedicated exclusively to serving Arizona school districts, municipalities, and other public entities for over 20 years. With offices in Phoenix and Tucson, we deliver expert advice, forward-thinking strategies, and cost-effective solutions that help our clients attract and retain top talent.
