Workplace Well-being; National Smile Month
National Smile Month is the UK’s biggest and longest running oral health campaign. Organised by the Oral Health Foundation it aims to encourage dental and health professionals, schools and workplaces to promote, motivate and to communicate good oral health practices.
Oral Health and the workplace
Infections in the mouth can be linked to major health problems all over your body, leading to a significant effect on the amount of time an employee is away from work.
In the last 5 years 2 million employees have taken time off work due to poor oral health, costing UK businesses a total of 36.6 million.
What can employers do to improve the quality of smiles in the workplace?
Employers should think about providing some form of dental cover, which is available as a standalone benefit or as part of a Private Medical Insurance policy or Health Cash Plan.
Health Cash Plans in particular will cover the most common routine medical treatments responsible for employee absence, including dentistry, optical, therapies and counselling all for a little as £1 per employee per week.
Employers can also set up a Dental Insurance policy that employees and their families can use by claiming back dental expenses spent on either NHS or Private treatments. This scheme operates through a salary exchange where employees sacrifice part of their salary for dental insurance, therefore making long term savings on their National Insurance.
These benefits will enable your employees to regularly visit their dentist, ensuring early diagnosis and treatment for any medical conditions without them worrying about the cost. Early intervention will in turn reduce the likelihood of any problems escalating into a serious illness and lengthy absences.
There are so many plans available, which one would suit your business and your staff? Excellect can help ensure the right plan is set up specifically tailored to the needs of your workforce. Give us a call to talk through your options.
Don’t brush this one off - setting up a dental insurance plan doesn’t have to be a toothache.
