Dental and vision trends focus on preventive health

Preventive health can mean a lot of different things to different people. Many would likely list eating healthy, exercise, and an annual wellness exam as preventive health behaviors we should adopt. And they are right. However, the health of our mouth and eyes is just as important.

The connection between oral health and eye care to overall employee wellness is of increasing interest to employers and employees. As a result, one trend that is becoming prevalent is the inclusion of preventive services in both dental and vision products. This development underscores the need for brokers and consultants to help educate employers about dental and vision as preventive benefits. The opportunity is there. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Americans use preventive services at about half the recommended rate.

Employers save money when employees use preventive dental benefits

Our Guardian 5^th Annual Workplace Benefits Study shows that more than 1 in 4 adults fail to go to the dentist even once a year, despite the fact that a majority have dental coverage that includes at least one annual visit. At the same time, we found that companies who encourage their employees to visit the dentists can save money on their group policies.

As part of the study, Guardian analyzed dental claims data from 2011-2017. Employer groups were categorized based on utilization of preventive and major services within their companies. The groups were categorized as high preventive utilization and low preventive utilization employers. The study found that the high preventive utilization employer group spent 39 percent more on preventive care over a six-year period, but 86 percent less on major and restorative dental services. By spending more on preventive care, this high utilization group had 16 percent lower preventive and major dental claims than the low preventive utilization employer group.

These findings validate the importance of promoting regular dental exams, which can help with early detection of potentially serious medical conditions. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, more than 90 percent of systemic diseases produce oral signs and symptoms. Maintaining good oral health is also beneficial in managing diabetes, lowering risk of heart disease and contributing to a healthy pregnancy.

All of this influences the latest dental plan designs and trends impacting the industry. One trend is personalized dentistry, which means preventive benefits tailored to a patient’s risk for dental disease or to a patient’s medical condition (e.g., pregnancy or diabetes). There is a lot of discussion in the dental profession about personalized dentistry and how dentists might possibly use genomics information — our unique DNA — or saliva diagnostics to improve dental care, especially as it pertains to preventing and treating dental diseases.

Another dental trend is cost transparency (consumerism), which is increasing as employees are contributing more to pay for their dental insurance. Consumers are gradually paying for all or a portion of their dental insurance premium. Over 90 percent of employees with dental benefits pay some or all the premium for their dental benefits.

Finally, technology is playing a key role in enhancing overall dental care. Take for example the intraoral camera, which allows dentists to get a precise image of the problem area in the teeth. Technology-enabled dental products are gaining popularity among consumers interested in maintaining good oral health, such as electric toothbrushes that help people brush more effectively. One product to hit the market recently is the first flossing toothbrush, which enables a person to floss and brush at the same time.

Healthy eyes, healthy lives

Vision is another preventive benefit that can help employees’ overall health and well-being. According to the CDC, about 11 million Americans over age 12 need vision correction. An eye exam can detect eye diseases that may go unnoticed due to no symptoms at all. For example, the most common form of glaucoma progresses over time, so people don’t notice they are experiencing a gradual loss of vision until it becomes severe. An eye exam can help detect glaucoma in its early stages, enabling doctors to begin effective treatment.

Our Guardian study found that 58 percent of working Americans say they have a vision benefit from their employer, 7 percent through their spouse’s employer, and 5 percent purchased outside the workplace. Educating employees about vision benefits and the importance of an annual eye exam is advantageous for employers who want a healthy workforce. According to The Vision Council, the increase in digital technology is leading to digital eye strain, which is affecting all age groups. For example, “72.6 percent of Americans reported they did not know eyewear can be used to protect the eyes from short- and long-term effects of digital eye strain,” another reason for employers to promote vision as a preventive benefit,” according to the Journal of Dental Education.

As vision is increasingly viewed by employers as an essential benefit like medical and dental, there are several trends taking shape in the industry. First, there is the move toward making sure the co-pays for medical and vision plans are the same (i.e., $10 co-pay for a primary care physician visit is the same as a $10 co-pay for an eye exam). Leveling the playing field on the co-pay is more likely to incentivize employees to visit an optometrist for an annual eye exam. Higher material allowances are also increasing — the standard used to be $130, and carriers are now seeing more requests for allowances such as a $200 covered allowance.

Telemedicine, also referred to as telehealth, is also something that is beginning to slowly emerge in the workplace. According to our study, 28 percent of working Americans say their medical plan offers access to telemedicine, and of those, just 7 percent have used it. Among those without access to telemedicine, 22 percent would be interested in using it. Tele-optometry equipment is one example of telemedicine that we are seeing in the vision marketplace. With the right, portable equipment, an optometrist can perform an eye test using a hand-held device that sends the results to a mobile phone or iPad. Within minutes, a person can find out whether they need glasses or whether they need to change their prescription for a stronger one. Our chief optometric officer and his team have already adopted this technology to help drive awareness around the importance of eye exams, as well as reach people in rural areas who otherwise don’t have access to an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Finally, carriers are beginning to develop direct-to-consumer initiatives to sell vision benefits directly to the retiree population. The aging population, who have had routine eye care, will experience increasing vision problems as they age, and they are often shopping for vison coverage when they are purchasing Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans.

Educational benefit communications are the key to success

There’s a lot to consider when talking to employer clients about preventive benefits. In addition to products and price, which are important factors, a successful benefits strategy also includes effective benefit communications. Our research shows that 89 percent of employees say benefits are very important to them, yet only 49 percent understand them.

Given the positive impact that preventive care can have on oral and eye health, brokers and consultants should encourage employers to consider the following:

1. Meet industry standard for preventive care benefits
2. Expand your plan’s definition of preventive services
3. Incentivize use of in-network providers
4. Enhance plan member communication to focus on preventive care and services

By educating both employers and employees on the importance of good oral health and eye care, there is an opportunity to elevate awareness around preventive benefits. After all, the research continues to confirm that employee benefits and effective benefit communications lead to a happy, productive, and engaged workforce.