As colleges and universities continue to expand their commitment to student well-being, many are re-evaluating what comprehensive health coverage really looks like. One often-overlooked component? Dental health.
Oral health is a key part of overall health, with growing research linking it to physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Yet many institutions still don’t include student dental insurance plans in their health offerings, leaving students to figure it out on their own.
At Academic HealthPlans (AHP), we believe that supporting whole-body wellness means going beyond the basics. That includes helping our partner schools understand the value of college student dental coverage as a critical part of a broader, student-centered health strategy.
The Hidden Impact of Dental Health on Student Wellness
Skipping routine dental care can lead to more than just cavities. According to the CDC, poor oral health is associated with serious health conditions like:
- Gum disease and tooth loss
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- Respiratory infections like pneumonia
- Pregnancy complications
But beyond physical health, oral health affects student confidence, mental health, and engagement. According to Guardian research:
- 45% of those with poor oral health avoid smiling
- 38% report low self-esteem
- 21% experience depression
- 23% avoid social situations
For students already navigating academic pressure, social development, and life away from home, dental health becomes a foundational part of success and well-being.
Why Institutions Should Offer or Support Dental Options
When student health plans overlook dental coverage, it often leads to students:
- Delaying preventive care
- Paying out-of-pocket for costly treatments
- Facing long-term health consequences
- Experiencing anxiety or shame around oral health
Integrating student health and dental insurance options, either as an included benefit or voluntary plan, can help address these challenges. It also aligns with the broader institutional goals of improving retention, mental health, and student satisfaction.
Offering affordable dental insurance for students supports equity and access, especially for populations who may have previously gone without dental care due to cost or coverage gaps.
Guardian Dental Through Academic HealthPlans
Through our partnership with Guardian, AHP makes it easy for schools to offer optional dental coverage that fits seamlessly into their existing student health strategy.
These plans are built with students in mind and provide:
- 100% coverage for preventive care, including cleanings, exams, and x-rays
- Partial coverage for basic care (e.g., fillings) and major services (e.g., root canals)
- Access to teledentistry and emergency care
- Optional benefits like teeth whitening and orthodontia
- Plan options starting as low as $15/month
More importantly, these plans are designed to help students think, feel, and be their best—mentally, physically, and socially—without adding administrative burdens for institutions.
What This Means for Your Campus
By integrating dental options into your student health offerings, whether through inclusion, promotion, or voluntary enrollment, you:
- Support holistic student well-being
- Remove financial and logistical barriers to care
- Improve mental health, confidence, and social engagement
- Align your wellness programming with national best practices
Students are already asking for benefits that reflect the realities of their lives, not just what insurance typically covers. By helping them access dental benefits for university students, your institution can reinforce its role as a true partner in student success.
Final Thoughts: A Small Step Toward a Smarter Strategy
Dental care may seem like a minor detail in the broader scope of campus health. But from our work with hundreds of institutions nationwide, we’ve seen how even small additions—like access to college student dental coverage—can have a meaningful ripple effect on student outcomes.
Academic HealthPlans is here to help you explore your options and build a benefit strategy that reflects the full picture of student health. With partners like Guardian, we’re making it easy to implement plans that are simple, affordable, and impactful, without creating extra work for your team.
Want to learn more? Contact us to talk about options that fit your campus!
Additional Resources: