More than half (57%) of respondents would attend a six-monthly dental check-up appointment if they had help with the dental costs, according to research by Monroe Sutton.
The Dental benefits 2016: What UK employees want and how employers can help report, which surveyed 1,000 UK employees, also found that 45% of respondents would visit the dentist more frequently if they knew they could afford any treatment required.
The research also found:
- 64% of respondents’ employers do not provide any dental health support for staff.
- 65% of respondents would be prepared to contribute up to £15 a month towards a personal dental plan.
- 71% of respondents would be prepared to pay up to £20 a month for a dental plan which covered family and cosmetic treatments, including orthodontics for children.
- 70% of respondents have visited their dentist in the past 12 months.
- 32% of respondents think their teeth are in good condition.
- 11% of respondents believe their teeth are in a bad condition.
Robert Malvasi, head of business development at Monroe Sutton, said: “With the British Dental Foundation estimating a £36.6 million cost to business in 2013 due to staff taking time off because of dental problems, employers are now realising if they want a healthy workforce, they need to provide access to private dental treatment.
“The one clear message to emerge from our research is the extent to which employees want and need support with their dental health.”