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Maintaining good oral health is essential for overall wellbeing, yet it often gets overlooked in workplace wellness initiatives.
Healthy teeth and gums not only enhance confidence but also boost productivity and reduce absence.
A survey by Bupa Dental Insurance found more than 48% of employees had to leave work early or call in sick due to dental pain.
That is an estimated 1,330 working days lost each year among the 2,000 employees surveyed.
Companies that prioritise their employees’ oral health foster a positive work environment and demonstrate genuine care for their staff’s wellbeing.
Why oral health matters in the workplace
Good oral health doesn’t just mean having a nice bright smile. It goes beyond that and plays a crucial role in various aspects of workplace dynamics and employee wellbeing.
Boost in productivity
When employees have good oral health, they’re less likely to miss work due to dental problems.
Toothache can be incredibly distracting and painful, making it hard to focus on tasks. By promoting oral health, companies can reduce absenteeism and keep their workforce productive.
A 2023 report found nearly three in ten (28%) of employees in the UK have had to take time off work due to tooth pain, an equivalent of 11.7m working-age people.
Enhanced employee morale
Maintaining good oral health is crucial for self-esteem and confidence.
When employees are happy with their oral health, they are more inclined to engage positively with colleagues and clients.
Consider the feeling of having clean and healthy teeth; it likely encourages you to smile and interact more readily with others. This principle equally applies to employees within the workplace.
Better overall health
Oral health is closely linked to overall health. Poor oral hygiene can lead to various health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and respiratory problems.
By promoting good oral health, companies are actually supporting their employees’ overall wellbeing.
For instance, did you know that gum disease has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease? Or that diabetics are more prone to oral health problems?
By taking care of their teeth and gums, employees can potentially avoid or better manage these health conditions.
Bupa has created these documents you can download and share with employees to learn more about how oral health can impact overall health.
Gum disease and heart health
Oral health and mental health
Enhanced company image
Companies seen to be prioritising employee oral health can benefit from an improved public image.
It shows the organisation cares about its workforce beyond just their job performance. This can attract top talent and improve customer perception.
When potential employees see a company offers dental insurance and promotes taking care of oral health, it can be a deciding factor in choosing where to work.
The Bupa Wellbeing Index found that 68% of employees were highly motivated by the benefit of dental insurance.
That’s well above any other health and wellbeing benefit.
Conclusion
Promoting oral health in the workplace is a win-win situation. It benefits employees by improving their health and wellbeing, and it benefits companies through increased productivity and lower healthcare costs.
By implementing oral health strategies, businesses can create a healthier, happier workforce.
Remember, a healthy smile is more than just aesthetics – it’s an important part of overall health and wellbeing.
To find out just how Bupa’s dental insurance can give a boost to your employee wellbeing programme click here to find out more.
