Dental & Vision: Small Plans, Big Benchmarking Value

Dental and vision may seem like afterthoughts — but they’re often your client’s most-used benefits.

Why These Plans Matter

Employees interact with their dental and vision coverage more frequently than with their medical plans. Cleanings, check-ups, lenses, and frames — these add up to real value perception. And yet, many consulting conversations skip over them.

Benchmarking these plans can:

• Help justify voluntary vs. employer-paid coverage
• Flag contribution strategies (100% single is still common)
• Illuminate preventive coverage design (e.g. cleanings, fluoride, exams)

What the Data Shows

At Bnchmrk, we see:

• 90%+ of employers fully fund employee-only vision coverage
• Dental plans are more likely to be employer-paid than any other ancillary benefit
• Preventive-first designs with no deductible are trending upward

Clients appreciate knowing where they stand — even on "smaller" plans.

Consultant Takeaway

Use dental/vision data to:

• Round out your total benefits story
• Help clients see how even low-cost offerings shape employee experience
• Position yourself as the go-to advisor, not just for medical strategy, but for total rewards

In a competitive labor market, every plan tells part of the story. Don't skip the ones your clients' employees use the most.