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Starting 16 May and ending 16 June, National Smile Month aims to raise awareness of important oral health issues and champions the benefits of a healthy smile.
It is particularly important to bring awareness to the connection between oral and mental health.
Oral health is often overlooked when thinking about how poor mental health can impact us physically.
For example, researchers estimate that people with severe mental illness are 2.7 times more likely to lose their teeth.
A common sign of depression is a neglect of personal wellbeing, which can include oral health.
Depression may also increase the likelihood someone turns to smoking, alcohol and illegal drugs as a way of coping, all of which increase the risk of oral health issues like gum disease and mouth cancer.
Dental anxiety can also be a serious issue, with around four in every 10 adults in the UK having a fear of the dentist and one in 10 adults having some form of extreme anxiety which may prevent them from visiting the dentist.
How does this affect your clients’ business?
At Bupa, we want to make sure your clients’ employees feel empowered to take control of their oral health.
Whether this starts with them feeling supported when it comes to their mental health, or through letting them know what Bupa dental services are available to them, we’re here to help businesses and their employees to thrive.
Encouraging your clients and their employees to prioritise their oral health could help prevent bigger issues arising meaning a healthier, happier and more productive workforce.
You’ll find a range of expertly crafted resources below that you can share with your clients to help them support their employees with their oral and mental health.
For your business
- Employer internal communication
Guidance and support for line managers
- Opening up about mental health at work: A manager’s guide
- Addressing mental health in the workplace as a manager
Resources you can share with your team
- The effects of mental health on oral health
- Understanding dental anxiety
- Dental anxiety support guide
- Coping with anxiety about world events
- Bupa’s Mental Health Hub: We want to open up the conversation about mental health at work, so we’ve developed useful advice and guidance to help support employees and employers with mental health in the workplace.
Reminder for your insured employees
- Speak to a dentist via phone or video through the Bupa Dental Care Support Line: 0808 273 1544
- Find a dental practice: Bupa dental practice finder
- Get rewarded: Bupa Everyday Rewards
The Bupa dental website has a wealth of information about ways your clients’ employees can take care of their oral health, including information about accessing Bupa Dental Care services.
Further information and support can also be found on the Oral Health Foundation website.
