Dental care shouldn’t be a luxury, but for many employees, it still is. Even with insurance, the cost of a crown, root canal, or even a simple filling can feel out of reach, especially when stacked against rent, groceries, or a surprise car repair.
According to a 2023 study, out-of-pocket costs account for 40.3% of dental spending, and one-third of American adults don’t visit the dentist annually.
Even with insured adults, 36% who don’t receive regular dental care report it’s because they can’t afford it.
As an employer, you want your team to stay healthy, and you know preventive dental care is one of the most effective ways to keep long-term health costs in check. However, most plans don’t go far enough, and boosting coverage often comes with added cost or complexity.
So how do you empower your people to get the care they need, when they need it, without overextending your budget?
The Challenge
Let’s face it: dental benefits haven’t kept pace with real-world costs.
Most dental plans max out at $1,000 to $1,500 annually. One procedure, like a crown or root canal, can wipe that out in a single visit, and then some. Elective or cosmetic services are usually excluded entirely. And, when patients are asked to pay upfront and out of pocket just to move forward, many say no and hope for the best.
The consequences of delaying dental care are rarely minor, though. An untreated cavity becomes a root canal. An ignored ache turns into an infection. Before you know it, your team member is out of work and in pain, with a steeper bill down the line.
That’s not just bad for them — it’s bad for business.
Paytient: Better Access, No Extra Burden
Paytient’s Health Payment Account (HPA) gives your team a better way to afford dental care without requiring you to upgrade your plan, renegotiate contracts, or take on new cost exposure. Plus, it works with (or without) any health plan.
Here’s how it works:
Employees get a revolving, interest-free line of credit they can use for any qualified dental expense, from cleanings and fillings to orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry. They pay over time, on their terms. You offer meaningful support, without taking on the cost of care.
It’s a win-win that makes healthy smiles (and healthier employees) more attainable.
Why Employers Love It
- No plan changes or network expansions required
Paytient works alongside your existing dental benefits, or fills the gap when employees don’t have coverage at all. - Zero financial risk to the employer
Employees use their Paytient card, then repay us over time. We pay the provider. You’re the hero who made it possible. - Encourages early intervention
When care is affordable, employees don’t delay it. That means fewer emergencies and lower downstream health complications and costs. - Improves employee trust, satisfaction, and retention
90% of Paytient users report higher satisfaction with their benefits. Because when you help your people care for themselves, they remember.
What It Looks Like in Real Life
Imagine one of your employees needs a $1,200 root canal. Their dental insurance only covers $600, and the provider wants the rest upfront.
Without Paytient, they might cancel the appointment, put it on a high-interest credit card, or take a 401(k) loan.
With Paytient, they swipe their card and walk into that appointment with confidence — no stress, no delay. Just the care they need, and a payment plan that fits their life.
The Bottom Line
Dental health is whole-person health, and no one should have to choose between seeing the dentist and staying on budget.
With Paytient, you give your employees more than access — you give them dignity, peace of mind, and the ability to say “yes” to care when it counts. Moreover, you do it without blowing up your plan, raising premiums, or adding administrative headaches.
Want to help your team smile more, without the sticker shock? Let’s talk.
