NHS Dentistry Crisis: Why Employers Are Looking for Other Ways to Support Dental Care
NHS dentistry continues to face significant challenges, with millions of people in England struggling to access dental care. For employers, providing access to company dental insurance can be a valuable way to support employees and their families when NHS appointments are increasingly difficult to secure.
The state of NHS dentistry remains a major concern for patients across England.
According to analysis by the British Dental Association (BDA), more than 13 million adults in England have an unmet need for dental care, meaning they either needed dental treatment but were unable to access it or did not seek care because they did not believe they would be able to get an appointment.
The BDA reports that this represents more than one in four adults, compared with approximately one in ten before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Millions are struggling to access an NHS dentist
The figures highlight the scale of the problem.
The BDA's analysis found that approximately 4.9 million adults tried but were unable to secure NHS dental care over the previous two years.
Even more concerning, around 6.2 million people did not attempt to make an appointment because they did not believe they would be able to access care.
Cost is another significant barrier, with around 1.3 million people indicating that the cost of dental care had prevented them from accessing treatment.
For patients, this can mean putting off routine check-ups and treatment until a dental problem becomes more serious – potentially resulting in more complex and expensive treatment later.
What does this mean for employees?
Difficulty accessing NHS dentistry isn't simply a healthcare issue. It can also affect the workplace.
Employees who are struggling to find an NHS dentist may delay appointments or treatment, while those experiencing dental pain or requiring urgent treatment may need time away from work.
For employers, supporting good oral health can therefore form an important part of a wider employee wellbeing strategy.
One option increasingly being considered by businesses is company dental insurance.
An alternative way to help employees access dental care
While NHS dentistry remains an important part of the UK's healthcare system, employers cannot solve the wider NHS dentistry crisis themselves.
They can, however, provide employees with an additional route to accessing private dental care.
Company dental insurance from Get Dental Plans can give employees access to private dental treatment, helping them obtain the care they need without relying solely on the availability of an NHS appointment.
Depending on the policy selected, dental insurance can help towards the cost of routine examinations, hygienist appointments and treatment, as well as providing additional support for more extensive dental procedures.
For employers, offering dental cover can also demonstrate a commitment to employee wellbeing and provide an attractive benefit as part of a wider workplace benefits package.
Why dental benefits can be valuable to employers
Dental insurance can offer benefits for both employees and businesses.
For employees
Greater choice when looking for a dentist
Access to private dental care
Help towards the cost of dental treatment
Support with maintaining regular dental check-ups and hygienist vists
An additional employee benefit that can provide reassurance when NHS access is difficult
For employers
An attractive addition to an employee benefits package
A practical way to support employee wellbeing
Potentially improved access to preventative dental care
A benefit that can help demonstrate that employee health is valued
Flexible options to suit different businesses and budgets
Improved employee productivity when good health is maintained
Prevention is better than waiting for a dental emergency
The current pressure on NHS dentistry makes regular preventative dental care particularly important.
Routine examinations can help identify problems at an earlier stage, when treatment may be simpler and less costly. Regular professional cleaning and good oral hygiene can also help employees maintain healthier teeth and gums.
However, preventative care is difficult when people cannot access a dentist.
This is where employer-funded dental benefits can make a real difference.
Supporting your employees with Get Dental Plans
The BDA's figures demonstrate that access to NHS dentistry remains a serious challenge across England. While the long-term future of NHS dental services will depend on changes to the way dentistry is funded and delivered, employers can take practical steps now to help their workforce access dental care.
Get Dental Plans helps businesses provide access to private dental care through company dental insurance plans.
Whether you are a small business looking to introduce your first employee dental benefit or a larger organisation reviewing your existing benefits package, there are options available to suit different requirements and budgets.
If you're concerned about the impact of limited NHS dental access on your employees, talk to Get Dental Plans about company dental insurance and find out how you could provide your workforce with greater access to dental care.
Source: British Dental Association (BDA), analysis of official NHS dental access and unmet need data.
