Employee Dental Visits Cost Businesses Thousands Every Year
Employee dental visits are costing businesses thousands of pounds every year, according to Bupa.
The average dental check-up takes less than half an hour, but members of staff usually spend three hours away from work to attend a dental appointment and Bupa has calculated that the cost of dental visits for a company with 1,000 employees would be around £329,000. This figure is based on the fact that dentists advise patients to attend check-ups every six months.
According to research conducted by Bupa, around 43 per cent of organisations have a system in place to allow employees to take time off for dental appointments. The cost of dental visits is also increased when other factors, including productivity and morale, are taken into account and 1 in 8 employers admit that they find it difficult to trust employees when it comes to taking time off to go to the dentist.
In light of the findings, Bow Lane Dental Group has recommended that companies review their health strategies and explore new ways of benefiting employees and employers. One way of reducing absenteeism is to try and forge relationships with practices near work. This has become very popular in London and it enables employees to see their dentist without having to take a large chuck of the day off.
Dr James Goolnik, from Bow Lane Dental Group, recommends working with local practices and trying to make additional arrangements, such as block-booking early morning or evening appointments.
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