Protecting your smile and your wallet: why dental coverage matters

A smile is the most common feature that people notice when meeting someone for the first time. However, high costs and lack of coverage for dental care are causing increasing numbers of people in the UAE to put their oral health at risk. In this article, we explore why incorporating dental coverage into your corporate healthcare plan can be hugely beneficial for the well-being of not just your employees, but also of your company.

Dental insurance

Regular dental check-ups - at least twice a year - are essential for optimal oral health. However, in a 2020 survey, an estimated 71% of UAE residents reported a problem with their teeth or gums, and only 53% had visited the dentist in the past year. In addition, 89% of respondents admitted to putting off a visit to the dentist because of the high costs of dental care.

The survey also highlighted the idea that people – even those who can comfortably afford it – are reluctant to pay for proper dental care, but would readily take it if included in their healthcare coverage.

So, no matter how much your employees earn and which industry your business operates in, the benefits of dental coverage can be significant.

Reduces absenteeism

When dental concerns go unchecked, they can develop into much more serious issues which may eventually become medical emergencies.

When given affordable access to preventative oral care through their workplace, employees are more likely to visit the dentist frequently. Health professionals can therefore identify any problems much earlier, and deal with them more quickly. This ultimately means that employees are less likely to require prolonged absences from work. In fact, 61% of British employers who offer a dental plan believe that it helps to manage staff absenteeism.

And there are several things that you can do as an employer to help. For example, try to foster a culture where your employees are provided a certain level of flexibility, allowing them to take reasonable time off for essential medical and dental appointments.

This can be further enhanced by ensuring that you partner with a healthcare provider such as GulfCare, which provides comprehensive care solutions to optimize employee well-being, reduce absenteeism, and enhance business success.

Attract and retain talent

Although medical coverage is mandatory for all employees in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, only an estimated one in three UAE residents have dental care included in their current health insurance plan. However, 70% of employers in a British survey agreed that a dental plan had helped them to attract new employees. What’s more, the same survey showed that more than three-quarters of employers who offer a dental plan believe that it helps to retain existing employees.

Partnering with a premium corporate healthcare provider which includes dental care as part of its plans can be a hugely beneficial way to attract and retain top talent. For example, GulfCare’s coverage ranges from routine and preventative care to emergency in-patient and out-patient treatment and care, to help you gain a competitive edge against other employers.

Reduces financial burdens for your teams

When costs rise, dental care can be one of the first outgoings to be put on hold. Providing corporate coverage for routine and emergency dental treatments can help your employees to ease the financial cost of care, and help them to prioritize and protect their health and well-being. GulfCare provides a range of fully customisable plans with varying levels of coverage, to help you choose the right level for the needs of your business and your teams. For example, as part of your corporate care package, dental cover can be paid for fully by you as an employer, or you can choose a combination scheme in which you cover the insurance and your employees can opt in to additional benefits for an additional cost.

Increases team morale

Providing additional health benefits within your care package is one of the most impactful ways for you to boost team morale and make your employees feel valued.

According to a British survey, 91% of companies that offer a dental plan believe that it enhances overall employee well-being. This, in turn, can help to increase employee productivity and output, to create a happier, more motivated workforce. In this respect, investing in dental care coverage for your company provides a direct benefit to your business, as well as your employees.

So, when it comes to employee well-being, it pays to partner with a corporate healthcare provider that puts its employees at the heart of everything it does.

GulfCare is one of the UAE’s leading corporate health insurance providers. Our range of tailored corporate healthcare plans includes extensive coverage for preventative and emergency dental care. To learn more, contact us today.