How does business dental and optical insurance work?

Adding optical and dental coverage to your health insurance gives employees access to routine optical and dental check-ups and treatment. They're usually found as a single optional extra, although some providers offer them separately.

Optical and dental coverage levels vary depending on your chosen provider and policy, so always check the small print to see what the policy includes before choosing a policy.

Your policy terms and conditions will specify which opticians and dentists it covers. Your employees may be able to claim treatment with their usual dentist, or visit a specialist centre run by your health insurer.

Adding optical and dental coverage to your health insurance has several business benefits. The advantages to your company will vary depending on your circumstances, but let's examine the main business benefits.

It can make you an employer of choice

Employees highly value health benefits as they show employers are prepared to invest in their health and well-being. If your staff aren't eligible for free NHS eye tests or dental treatment, they'll likely pay for private care. Paying for health insurance that covers their treatment could help them save money, which is particularly important in the wake of the cost-of-living crisis.

Good employee benefits help your business attract and retain top talent, saving you money on recruitment and training and helping you build positive relationships with colleagues and customers.

It offers a cost-effective way to provide employee eye tests

If your employees regularly use display screens as part of their job, your business is legally required to provide eye tests and glasses if they're needed for display screen work. Adding optical coverage to your health insurance can be a cost-effective way to fund these tests.

It reduces staff sickness absence

Optical and dental check-ups can act as an early warning system for serious health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure and some cancers. Early detection can help staff seek preventive care or treatment, improving recovery rates and reducing sickness absence.

Regularly attending routine health checks also helps staff to care for their overall health.

It encourages staff to look after their health

As we've mentioned, routine dental care and eye care can support your team's general health. Your staff may skip these appointments because they struggle to access NHS treatment or because private care costs are prohibitive. However, that could impact their well-being in the long term. Knowing that their employee health insurance has it covered encourages them to book appointments without worrying about the cost.

Optical and dental insurance can cover various check-ups and treatments, depending on your policy's coverage. The policy terms and conditions confirm what's covered and the financial limits for different categories. Some providers include hearing cover in addition to optical and dental cover, which provides check-ups and hearing aids if needed.

Here are the checks and treatments you'll find with most plans.

Optical coverage

Optical coverage includes routine eye checks, contact lenses and glasses, but typically excludes surgery. Laser eye surgery is considered a lifestyle choice rather than a medical necessity. If your private medical insurance includes in-patient and out-patient care, this should cover treatment for eye conditions like cataracts and glaucoma.

Eye tests

Most plans cover one eye test for each plan year. There are exceptions, so check they're included if you plan to use optical and dental coverage to provide your team with eye tests.

Glasses and contact lenses

Policies typically cover the cost of prescription glasses and contact lenses if your employees need them for the first time, or if their prescription has changed since their last eye test. While you're legally required to supply staff with glasses if they're needed for display screen work, your insurance will cover glasses required for any reason.

Dental coverage

Dental insurance provides routine dental check-ups and treatments. It doesn't usually cover the cost of dentures, even if your dentist prescribes them. Health insurance doesn't cover cosmetic treatments, meaning it won't fund braces, tooth straightening and whitening treatments.

Check ups

Regular dental check-ups contribute to good oral hygiene and overall health. Dental insurance usually includes a financial limit rather than specifying how many check-ups a policy covers. Employees with healthy teeth and no previous dental problems may only need one yearly appointment, while others need more to monitor potential issues.

Policies typically cover appointments with the dentist, hygienist and x-rays if needed.

Dental treatment

Dental treatment includes everything from fillings and crowns to root canal surgery and extractions. The care your employees need is subject to policy limits, meaning that those requiring extensive dental work may exceed these. Costs vary depending on your location, so it's wise to seek professional advice about the cost of dental treatments in your area and the financial limits that apply to your policy. 

Accidental damage

Dental insurance usually covers dental accidents and emergency dental treatment, so if an employee damages a tooth in an accident, the policy will cover repair work. It will also provide prescription medication, such as antibiotics, for a tooth infection or abscess that causes severe pain.

Some policies cover emergency treatment in the UK and overseas, although others only include cover abroad if you pay an additional premium.

We've mentioned that some dental insurance will provide emergency care overseas. Most travel insurance policies also cover emergency medical treatment abroad. However, this doesn't provide routine check-ups or non-emergency treatment, as it works on the basis that your employees can seek follow-up treatment when they return home.

If your employees regularly travel abroad or spend extended periods overseas for work, they'll likely need to access routine checks and treatment while away. In that case, it's worth considering international health insurance for a broader range of healthcare options.

Exclusions apply to every health insurance policy. We've mentioned that optical and dental insurance doesn't cover cosmetic treatments. It also excludes chronic conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma or cataracts that won't respond to surgery.

Exclusions based on pre-existing medical conditions vary depending on an employee's medical history. Insurers classify pre-existing conditions as any issue that an employee saw their doctor about, or sought treatment for, in the five years before they joined the policy. For example, if an employee were diagnosed with cataracts before joining, their health insurance wouldn't cover corrective surgery.

We hope this article has helped you understand the benefits of adding optical and dental coverage to your business health insurance. At Globacare, we work with our clients to help them choose health insurance that benefits their business and team. Contact us for advice tailored to your needs.