Basics of Total Rewards

Dental Plans

Dental-care benefits are considered a component of health care benefits, although insurance plans ordinarily separate the two. Dental insurance usually covers preventative care and treatment of teeth, gums, and the mouth. Plans might also cover orthodontia, X-rays, and cosmetic work.

Employees typically become eligible for dental care plans under the same employment terms as their healthcare plan. In some cases, part-time employees are also covered. These benefits are typically received free of any income tax liability.

In today's organizations:

• Dental HMO, PPO and POS plans have replaced indemnity plans with three common cost sharing approaches to the coverage that include 1) 100%-0% 2) 80%-20% 3) 50%-50% where the first percent represents the portions paid by the employer; second percent is paid by the employee.
• Orthodontic coverage subject to a lifetime maximum may be far more likely to be included, especially in new-economy companies. This is one of the reasons why the group health plans of new-economy organizations are more costly than those of traditional organizations.
• Full coverage of preventive treatment is the norm.