"It’s concerning to see such a significant proportion of people not being able to access a dentist."
- Jo Turner, Head of Product & Proposition for Group Protection at Canada Life
Of those surveyed (2,000), 48% of adults in the UK said they’ve been putting off going to the dentist, despite NHS guidance recommending patients consult their dentist every two years. 6.5mn adults haven’t seen a dentist for more than five years, and 12% admitted to having dentophobia.
7% said there are often no appointments at times which suit them, while 7% said their dentist has either gone private or become too expensive. Meanwhile, 18% of adults aren’t currently able to register at an NHS dental practice, and 12% have been removed from their NHS dental waiting list this year alone.
More than a fifth (22%) receive dental insurance or benefits via their employer – 73% have utilised their policy. Of those who have access to these benefits, 42% said it has positively impacted their odds of seeing a dentist.
Last year, Broadstone published a white paper titled ‘Employers and the health of the nation’ which explored the economic inactivity of the UK workforce. Within this report, Kellie Wade, Benefits & Wellbeing Officer (Europe) at Sidley Austin, said there’s been a “definitive shift” in the health of the nation since the Pandemic. She believes this is “changing the face of how employers administer healthcare schemes” and that there is a “growing desire between employers to ensure that their colleagues don’t struggle silently.”
Jo Turner, Head of Product & Proposition for Group Protection at Canada Life, said “It’s concerning to see such a significant proportion of people not being able to access a dentist. Unfortunately, it’s now well-known that dentistry on the NHS is becoming less available.” She’s also worried that some feel there’s no alternative to performing DIY dentistry.
“With healthcare services being squeezed, employers can play a role in recognising dental benefits as a core pillar of their Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs). Benefits not only help with retention but also may help to alleviate pressure on the NHS,” Jo added.
