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In the world of workplace wellbeing, dental health is often overlooked. But this should not be the case.
Oral health can play a vital role in employee wellbeing, productivity, and long-term health outcomes.
One of the most serious issues is oral cancer, a condition that’s becoming more common in the UK and can have serious consequences for individuals and the organisations they work for.
Oral cancer: What employers need to know
Oral cancer refers to cancers of the mouth, lips, and throat.
In 2024, new cases of mouth cancer in the UK reached 10,825 – this has increased by 38% in the last decade and by 133% compared with 20 years’ ago.
Last year, more than 3,600 people lost their lives to mouth cancer. And yet, awareness of the signs and symptoms and risk factors remains poor – with one study suggesting it is as low as 20%.
Improving access to dental care and tackling late diagnosis are some of the key challenges.
Spotting the signs early
Early detection is critical. Employers and employees alike should be aware of the common signs of oral cancer, which include:
- A lump in your mouth or on your lip that doesn’t go away after a couple of weeks
- A sore or ulcer in the mouth that doesn’t heal within a couple of weeks
- A lump in your neck or enlarged lymph nodes in your neck
- White or red patches in the mouth
- Persistent pain in the mouth or throat
- Difficulty swallowing
- A hoarse or croaky voice that doesn’t improve
- A lump in the neck or jaw area
These are just some of the symptoms and they aren’t necessarily a sign of mouth cancer, but if you have any concerns, you should see your dentist.
Encouraging regular dental check-ups can also lead to earlier diagnosis and better outcomes.
Learn more with Dr Anni Seaborne and Dr Neil Sikka as they share the symptoms of mouth cancer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMaehSTzb7c&pdg_channel=aff&pdg_network=health_protection&pdg_campaign=oral_cancer_dental_care
The case for making dental insurance a workplace benefit
Dental care is often left out of employee benefits, and yet dental insurance can make a real difference to employee wellbeing.
Providing dental cover, like Bupa Dental Insurance, can help employees access routine check-ups, preventive care, and early diagnosis of serious conditions like oral cancer.
It can also provide a more affordable way for employees to access dental care and overcome financial barriers that might stop someone from seeking treatment.
From a business perspective, dental insurance could:
- Improve retention by showing employees you care about their health
- Reduce absenteeism due to dental emergencies
- Boost productivity by keeping employees healthy and focused
- Support inclusion for staff who may otherwise struggle to afford private dental care
Educate employees on spotting the signs
Prevention is better than cure and you can also help your employees by raising awareness of the risk factors associated with oral cancer.
There are a number of risk factors that can increase a person’s risk of developing oral cancer, including smoking, heavy drinking, poor diet, and lack of dental hygiene. Encouraging your employees to adopt healthy oral habits and to undertake regular dental visits can make a big difference.
A smarter approach to employee wellbeing
Dental care isn’t just a personal issue – it’s a business one.
By investing in dental insurance and promoting oral health awareness, companies can protect their workforce, reduce long-term healthcare costs, and build a healthier, more resilient organisation.
To read more articles from Bupa, visit our content hub on Health & Protection – here.
