[maxerickson]

It's (very likely) cheaper for the company to offer a fixed benefit than it is to pay that amount directly as compensation.

I certainly don't mind that people I work with and their families are getting dental care instead of me getting a modest annual raise.

[latchkey]

A lot of small business dental plans cost the company nothing extra to offer to employees because the cost is passed onto the employee directly. It is an optional 'perk' that is offered by the insurance company, but it is almost worthless in value. A lot of employees don't do the math and just tack on the extra monthly fee. But, if you do the math on them, it often doesn't work out to opt into that perk, even in an emergency case.

[maxerickson]

Okay, but for example, dental isn't an option at my small company, you just get it.

Probably because there is a large group of union employees.

[latchkey]

Correct, larger plans get it factored into the overall costs and hidden from you. When my company grew in size and we switched plans, suddenly I got dental as well for free (I had previously denied it cause I did the math). It may not even be something your employer pays for as it might be a perk added in by the insurance company. Depending on what the coverage actually is, it still may or may not be worth it. Hard to say... it is all so nebulous and poorly defined.

Always read the small print though...