What is open enrollment?

Open enrollment can be a stressful time, whether it’s your first time doing it or your thirtieth.

However, if you take the time to understand what open enrollment is and research plans and coverage ahead of time, you can turn the process into a simple, stress-free experience that can be done with just a few clicks.

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Reap the benefits of healthy employees | Dental benefits for small businesses in Wisconsin

*Updated April 2025

A healthy team is a productive team—and when it comes to supporting employee well-being, dental benefits play a key role. For small businesses, offering dental insurance isn’t just about coverage—it’s about investing in your company’s success.

Why small business dental plans matter in Wisconsin

While salary is important, benefits like dental coverage are a major factor in job satisfaction. For small businesses, offering dental insurance can help:

  • Attract top talent: Competitive benefits help you stand out in the job market.
  • Boost retention: Employees are more likely to stay when they feel cared for.
  • Improve productivity: Healthy smiles mean fewer sick days and more focus at work.

Small business dental plans go beyond oral health 

During dental appointments, dentists are doing more than looking at teeth. They’re also screening for other health problems such as anemia, oral cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and more.

Early detection of serious health conditions allows employees to seek timely care from the appropriate healthcare professionals, ensuring prompt treatment. This proactive approach can lead to fewer missed work hours and help maintain a healthy, productive workforce.

Small businesses with dental benefits stand out

Employees value a well-rounded benefits package, and health-related benefits are a top priority. In fact, a 2024 survey by the Society for Human Resource Management found that 88% of employees consider them “very important” or “extremely important.”

Today’s employees are looking to work for companies that prioritize their health and wellbeing. If your small business isn’t currently offering a dental insurance plan, it may be overshadowed by companies that do.

Small businesses dental plans don’t have to be out of budget

Concerned that dental insurance may be too expensive for your small business? The reality is that many small business dental plans are tailored specifically for your needs, providing cost-effective solutions such as:

  • Flexible options: A variety of plans designed to accommodate different budgets.
  • Preventive care coverage: Routine exams and cleanings are often fully covered, promoting long-term oral health.
  • Group rates: Lower premiums compared to individual plans, making coverage more affordable for both employers and employees.

Investing in dental benefits can be a smart and sustainable choice for your small business, enhancing employee well-being while keeping your company financially viable.

Choosing your small business dental plan

Ready to find the right dental plan for your small business? Delta Dental of Wisconsin offers flexible options to meet the needs of you and your employees. Explore our small business dental plans today, and reach out with any questions—we’re here to help!

Looking for more information about the benefits of dental insurance? Check out “Benefits of using Delta Dental of Wisconsin dental insurance early in the year.”

Preparing for open enrollment: Dental insurance

Dental insurance open enrollment is approaching fast. Are you ready for it?

Open enrollment refers to a period of time, typically near the end of the year, in which you can add benefits for the first time or make changes to your current insurance plans and employee benefits. This may be one of the only times throughout the year where you can make changes to existing coverage or opt out of benefits.

Whether this is your first time or you’re an experienced participant, it’s always a good idea to make sure you’re prepared before the next open enrollment period begins. Use this guide when preparing for dental insurance open enrollment.

Why is dental insurance open enrollment a big deal?

Open enrollment is important because it gives individuals the chance to review and modify their benefits based on their specific needs. It gives employees or individuals the opportunity to select insurance plans, add or remove dependents, and make other benefit-related decisions.

When is dental insurance open enrollment?

According to HealthCare.gov, open enrollment begins on November 1. December 15 is the last day to enroll in plans or make any changes before coverage starts on January 1. Any enrollment after December 16 and through January 15 will have coverage start on February 1. January 15 is the end of open enrollment.

If you’re receiving benefits from an employer, the exact dates for your open enrollment period may differentiate from the dates listed above. Be sure to keep an eye out for any emails from your HR team or communicate with them directly for details.

Tips for preparing for dental insurance open enrollment

Taking the time to prepare for open enrollment before it starts will make the process easier and more manageable. Use the tips below to get ready.

  • Review current coverage
    • Before open enrollment starts it’s a good idea to go over your current coverage and benefits, if you have them, to see if they fit your needs. If they don’t, write down notes that will help you when it’s time to choose your new plan(s).
  • Determine your needs
    • After evaluating your current coverage, it’s time to consider any changes that may be coming. Do you have a dental procedure in the future that isn’t covered by your current dental plan? Do you have a child who needs dental insurance? These are some factors that should be considered before going through dental insurance open enrollment.
  • Seek guidance and do research
    • If your employer provides your coverage and benefits, they will typically supply information about the plans offered. Often, employers will host informational meetings or supply informational materials before open enrollment begins to help employees fully understand their options and the enrollment process. If your employer doesn’t offer this guidance, be sure to talk to an HR representative or benefits administrator to get any questions answered.
    • If you have an individual dental plan, be sure to use that company’s customer service team to get answers to your questions or concerns. They should be able to guide you to the perfect dental plan for you.
  • Compare plans
    • Whether you have an employer-sponsored plan or individual plan, there will likely be options when it comes to coverage levels. It’s important to go through each plan option to understand things like network providers, costs, coverage, premiums, coverage limits, etc. These are the meat and potatoes of your dental insurance plan and give you an idea of what to expect for costs during the next year. Often, there are documents that compare plans side-by-side to make it easy to spot differences between them.
  • Create a checklist
    • As open enrollment gets closer, consider making a checklist. You may include things like the benefits you want to enroll in or any changes needed to your current plans. A well-planned and comprehensive checklist helps make the enrollment process stress-free.
  • Know your timelines
    • Don’t miss dental insurance open enrollment because you had the dates wrong. Double check with your HR department or individual benefits provider and highlight the start and end dates for open enrollment on your calendar. Setting reminders on your smart device is also a great way to keep on top of timelines.
  • Take your time
    • Once it’s time to enroll, make sure you carefully read through everything in a calm and focused manner. This is not the time to skim over things. It may be helpful to wait to go through the process until distractions are gone. If you have a partner, having them look over everything before submitting your selections is a good way to make sure you didn’t miss anything.

By following these steps, you can be well-prepared to make informed decisions about your benefits during the dental insurance open enrollment period.

Delta Dental of Wisconsin offers a range of dental coverage options for employers and individuals. Learn more about our plans for individuals and families, as well as businesses.

Back to school lunches for healthy toddlers and preschoolers

You might love whole grains and leafy greens, but getting your kids to show the same enthusiasm toward a healthy diet can be tricky. To encourage a well-balanced diet in kids, here are three healthy eating activities for preschoolers.

Encouraging healthy eating for preschoolers

Getting your preschooler to eat a healthy meal is all about making it fun. Try these tips below to make healthy food exciting.

1. Play with shapes

A healthy sandwich is much more fun to eat if it’s in the shape of your child’s favorite animal, or an airplane, or even a simple heart! Sliced fruit like watermelon can also be easily cut into entertaining shapes. Any cookie cutter will do the trick!

2. Make it finger-food friendly

Your child might not be a fan of eating their whole dinner, but perhaps they always devour their snacks. While snacks are fun, they don’t have the complete nutrition of a balanced meal. Trick your kids into eating their lunch by cutting up their sandwich into small pieces and choosing fruits and veggies that are also cut into small pieces, rather than a whole fruit. Breaking down their meal into bite-sized options makes it seem less intimidating and promotes portion control. Finger foods make a meal appear like snacking, allowing you to sneak in all the nutrients that they need.

3. Bento Box-it-Up

A bento box, a Japanese single-portion box, is perfect for school lunch. Bento boxes are made of small, separated compartments that are ideal for small fingers. They provide the perfect opportunity for variety in the meal while keeping portion sizes healthy. Try offering a variety of flavors and textures such as boiled eggs, sliced grapes, berries, cubed chicken breast, bite-sized sandwiches, and more. You can find bento or similar boxes online for your child and for yourself!

4. Make mealtime fun

It may be hard to get your toddler or preschooler to sit down for a full meal, but if you make it fun, they’re more likely to stick around! Ask your little ones to demonstrate how a dinosaur would eat something on their plate or give them unique utensils, such as a straw, to try and eat with. The goal is to make mealtime fun instead of a fight. 

Healthy eating for preschoolers and toddlers is important

If getting your child to eat healthy is like pulling teeth, don’t be discouraged. You’re setting them up for a healthier lifestyle in the future every time you offer nutritious foods now.

For more information about the importance of good nutrition check out “Best Farmers Market Finds for Your Teeth.”

Dangerous TikTok trends: DIY teeth whitening

In today’s digital world, it’s easy to fall into the trap of trusting everything you see online. Recently, social media powerhouse TikTok has emerged as a dominant player with its rapid growth and influential nature.

While this popular platform has its fair share of entertaining content, it can also encourage its users to engage in potentially harmful trends like do-it-yourself teeth whitening. These may seem like harmless DIY options for those on a budget, but it’s crucial to recognize the potential dangers they pose and adverse effects they may have on your oral health.

DIY teeth-whitening trends 

Many influencers claim their secret to whiter teeth can be done at home using common products. However, many of these products can cause harm to your teeth.

Charcoal products

One of the most popular TikTok trends for achieving whiter teeth features charcoal toothpaste, with numerous creators and influencers saying it’s the reason for their sparkling smile.

Despite its popularity, charcoal has been found to be less effective than conventional whitening products and toothpastes. In addition, charcoal poses a danger to your oral health. Due to its naturally abrasive nature, charcoal can gradually wear down the protective enamel layer of your teeth, leading to increased tooth sensitivity and a higher risk of decay.

Lemon juice

Creators are also sharing a supposed teeth-whitening hack that involves mixing baking soda with lemon juice, but this TikTok trend also comes with risk.

Using baking soda isn’t the problem with this practice. Because it’s mildly abrasive, baking soda has been found to be a safe and cost-effective way to remove stains from your teeth by the Journal of the American Dental Association. What makes this teeth whitening trend potentially hazardous is the use of lemon juice. According to a study published in  the Journal of International Dental and Medical Research, the acidic nature of lemons can cause a decrease in hardness of enamel. As a result, erosion can weaken the teeth, making them more prone to sensitivity, yellowing, cavities, and even tooth loss.

DIY TikTok trends may seem like easy and inexpensive methods for teeth whitening, however so-called hacks featuring lemon juice and charcoal can have detrimental effects on your oral health.

One of the best ways to achieve a whiter smile is to focus on preventing stains by reducing your intake of certain food and drinks as well as tobacco products. Coffee, red wine, and soda are some beverages notorious for their staining properties. Similarly, smoking or chewing tobacco not only poses serious health risks, but also leads to browning and yellowing of the teeth.

If you’re interested in legitimate teeth whitening, be sure to contact your dentist. They can make recommendations for your specific needs with safe and effective processes.

For more oral health tips, read “Top 5 Ways to Take Care of Your Children’s Teeth”.