November 13, 2023
In recent years, the dental insurance industry has undergone significant transformations, driven by technological advancements, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a growing awareness of the link between oral health and overall well-being. Here are four key trends reshaping the landscape of dental benefits:
- Oral and Overall Health Integration: Recognizing the connection between oral health and systemic conditions, insurers are adopting a holistic approach to dental insurance. Many plans now provide extra benefits and programs for individuals with specific medical conditions like diabetes and heart disease, emphasizing the importance of preventive dental care. Education and training resources highlight the mouth-body connection, promoting healthy habits for improved overall health outcomes.
- Medical-Dental Integration: Understanding the oral-systemic link has underscored the importance of integrating dental care into overall health conversations. Improved communication and coordination between dentists, physicians, and other healthcare providers are crucial. The sharing of electronic health records that merge medical and dental histories facilitates comprehensive patient care. Insurers are supporting this interdisciplinary approach through products, benefits, and educational solutions to prevent complex and costly services, close gaps in care, and enhance health outcomes.
- Bundled Insurance Products: Market, regulatory, and technological pressures are reshaping how dental coverage is purchased. A growing trend is the bundling of health and dental benefits. Nearly half of dental respondents foresee bundling benefits, and over half expect to partner with health insurers by 2025. Bundled insurance products offer convenience for consumers, strengthen relationships for brokers, and provide employers with benefits packages that promote overall wellness and potential cost savings.
- Innovations Improving Dental Care Access: Barriers to accessing oral health care persist, including an uneven distribution of dentists across the country. To address this, insurers are adopting innovations such as teledentistry, a trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing virtual visits for enhanced care and education. Mobile dental programs with portable equipment deliver services to underserved populations. Dental plans are also investing in scholarship programs to encourage diversity in the dental workforce, associated with improved access to care.
As the dental insurance industry evolves, a willingness to shift mindsets, explore alternative approaches, and consider different perspectives is crucial. This adaptability will enable providers to meet consumer needs, tackle future challenges, and achieve long-term, sustainable growth in dental care.