Employees delay dental treatment due to time off work worries

News
Joanne Swann
man in white dress shirt sitting on black office rolling chair

Employees are putting up with dental pain and delaying essential dental treatment as they’re worried about taking time off work.

According to new research by Bupa Dental Insurance, 73% of workers have delayed going to the dentist, with over 2 in 5 delaying treatment as they were worried about needing time off work. Furthermore, almost a third (31%) of employees say they’ve experienced a negative response from their employer when asking for time away for dental treatment.

Almost half of employees (48%) have called in sick or left work early due to dental pain and over 1,330 working days were lost to dental pain in the last year.

For employees who continue to work through pain, they said they’ve found it difficult to concentrate (29%), became less productive (25%), and were snappier with colleagues (14%).

Neil Sikka, Dentist and Chief Dental Officer at Bupa Dental Insurance said:

It’s concerning when people put off dental treatment. It can lead to problems becoming much worse, as early diagnosis and treatment can significantly lower the chances of severe pain or tooth extraction. Employers have a responsibility to look after the wellbeing of their workforce, and this includes oral health. Allowing time for dental appointments may improve productivity and require fewer sick days over the long-term.

Neil Sikka, Dentist and Chief Dental Officer at Bupa Dental Insurance

The Bupa Wellbeing Index found that 68% of respondents said their motivation at work would increase if dental insurance was offered by their employer, to cover regular check-ups and treatment. A similar number (72%) said they would take up dental insurance if offered.

Ann Stewart, Head of Bupa Dental Insurance adds:

We know that dental insurance is a highly valued workplace benefit. For businesses seeking to retain and attract the best people, a way to do this is strengthening their workplace health and wellbeing offering. By encouraging people to have regular check-ups and take action when treatment is needed, it can prevent more serious issues down the line.

Ann Stewart, Head of Bupa Dental Insurance

Joanne Swann, Content Manager, WorkWellPro
Editor at Workplace Wellbeing Professional | Website |  + posts

Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.

Share

Latest News

Latest Analysis

Related Articles

Joanne Aitken: Why We Need to Talk About Menopause at Work

Around 4 million women aged 45–55 are working, and 5 million over 50 are part of the UK workforce: an increase of 39% in the past decade.

More Than Half of Employees ‘Feel Like They’re Faking It At Work’

More than half of employees say they feel like they are “faking it” at work despite believing their success comes from their own abilities, according to new research.

Work Offers a Lifeline To Unpaid Carers – But ‘Nearly Half May Cut Hours or Quit Without Support’

Nearly half of unpaid carers who are also in work are considering reducing their hours or leaving employment altogether.

Lucinda Quigley: Menopause Action Plans Risk Failing Without Cultural Change

With the introduction of voluntary menopause action plans, are organisations truly ready, or simply compliant on paper?
Previous article
Grant Price: The impact of AI on employee wellbeing and productivity
Next article
The business cost of ignoring work stress in a mental health policy