This is according to the new HSA Annual Dental Survey 2008. More than half of companies would offer dental benefits as a way of improving the morale of their workforce; while four in 10 would implement a dental policy out of concern for their workforce’s health and for its value as a tool to aid retention and recruitment.
Nearly three quarters of organisations are concerned that their employees cannot afford to maintain their oral health. Indeed, 27% of workers surveyed felt that dental hygiene was unaffordable, with 23% of employees putting off a visit to the dentist because it is too expensive. But the costs are deterring employers from providing dental care for their staff.
“By dismissing dental benefits companies could be letting their employees and themselves down,” says Richard Halley, head of B2B sales at HSA. “If people are putting off visiting the dentist due to cost, this could result in their oral health worsening, which could affect sickness absence.
