For beaming employees, take a proactive approach to wellbeing

This month is National Smile Month, with the alarming health of our nation’s teeth once again a cause for concern.

According to the latest annual Oral Health Survey from dental payment plan specialists Denplan, by Simplyhealth Professionals, one in 20 of us admit to never visiting a dentist¹. The primary reason given is the cost of going for a check-up, however the implications for the NHS are considerable. Last year the British Dental Association revealed the annual cost of A&E treating dental patients, who could have sought treatment sooner, could be as much as £18 million².

But what does this mean for businesses? In May 2017 the Oral Health Foundation called on employers and employees to prioritise their dental health, following new research which found that oral health problems, such as toothache, are costing the UK economy more than £105 million each year in sick days³.

Employers are recognising the impact a healthy workforce has on overall motivation and performance, with the Simplyhealth/CIPD Health and Wellbeing at Work⁴ report stating that 44% of organisations agreed their health & wellbeing activity had improved employee morale and engagement. 31% indicated they had seen a reduction in sickness absence.