An Ounce of Prevention
Regular dental visits — and maintaining healthy teeth and gums — are an important part of preventive dental care. While conventional wisdom stipulates that most adults should visit the dentist twice a year, the American Dental Association (ADA) recognizes that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to dental health and good oral health habits.1,2
For example, people with certain health problems that can negatively impact oral health — conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, or even pregnancy — may need to visit the dentist more frequently to maintain optimal oral health and avoid issues like gum disease and tooth decay.
Frequency of dental visits notwithstanding, access to comprehensive benefits to receive necessary preventive dental services is positively correlated with good oral health for workers and their dependents, which is why it’s important for employers to offer dental coverage to their employees — and their employees' families.
Greater use of in-network preventive care not only leads to lower out-of-pocket dental costs for workers and their families, but it can also help lower employer costs.
Organizations that provide workers with dental benefits and easier access to preventive dentistry can have a more favorable claims experience, as well.3 Plus, a healthier workforce means potentially lower medical costs and fewer medical leaves of absence for employees.3 Research shows that workers with better oral health tend to be happier with their appearance, which leads to greater self-confidence and a higher likelihood of being more engaged and productive at work.4
Most adults say good oral health is important to them, yet only 1 in 3 rate their oral health “excellent” or “very good.”⁴
Adults acknowledge the importance of optimal oral health, but few understand its critical connection to overall well-being
Consumers value their oral health; 83% of US adults say that oral health is important to them.5 At the same time, only 35% of workers rate their oral health as “excellent” or “very good,” only slightly higher than the 29% who rate their oral health as “fair” or “poor.”4 These findings reveal a disconnect between how people feel about the importance of oral health and how they feel about their own oral health.
In addition, the low average score on Guardian's oral health and dental benefits quiz — a 67%, or a grade of D+ — helps explain this disconnect and the lack of consumer understanding about the interconnectedness of the mouth and the rest of the body.6
Yet, industry research increasingly confirms a correlation between oral health and overall health. Studies show that the mouth is a primary pathway into the body and an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. Harmful bacteria can build up around teeth and cause gum disease, or even spread to other parts of the body.7
Health issues linked to poor oral health include8,9
Diabetes
Suppressed immune system
Kidney disease
Pregnancy complications
Dementia
Rheumatoid arthritis
Cardiovascular disease
Pneumonia
Osteoporosis
Stroke
Liver disease
Endocarditis
The link between oral health and emotional health
Perhaps less obvious than the relationship between oral health and physical health is the connection between oral health and mental wellness. Among working adults who rate their oral health “fair” or “poor,” 78% report a negative impact on their emotional health and overall well-being. Poor oral health can even impact workers' job performance, colleague relationships, and career growth; 12% of this group say they avoid speaking up in meetings because they’re self-conscious about their oral health problems.
Access to affordable dental insurance through the workplace can help improve not only physical health, self-image, and attitudes toward one's own oral health, but even those work-related activities that may be unexpectedly affected.4
Less than half of all adults recognize the linkage between oral health and overall well-being.⁵
Access to dental coverage through work significantly increases the use of preventive dentistry and improves oral health
Regardless of age or income, adults with employer-sponsored dental coverage are much more likely to go the dentist regularly and have healthier habits regarding regular preventive care compared to those with no dental insurance. Roughly three-fourths of workers with dental benefits visit the dentist for preventive care at least once a year compared to 37% of those with no coverage.5 And nearly 6 in 10 workers with dental benefits go for exams and cleanings at least twice a year compared to just 25% of those without dental insurance.5
Workers who have employer-sponsored dental benefits are more than twice as likely to receive regular preventive care compared to those without coverage.¹⁰
Naturally, adults who have dental benefits and receive at least two exams/cleanings per year are much more likely than others to self-report “excellent” or “very good” oral health.11 Of those adults who rate their oral health "excellent" or "very good," more than half (55%) of them had preventive dentistry services at least twice in the past year, and 17% of them had no preventive dental care in the past year.
Family coverage is key: Parents often prioritize pediatric dentistry for their children above their own dental care
While less than half of all adults (or 77% of those with dental coverage) visit the dentist annually for preventive care, 8 in 10 parents say their children have been to the dentist in the past year for pediatric dentistry. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that dental visits for children have increased steadily over the past two decades.12 One reason is that improved coverage for dependents has helped expand access to care for children whose parents have employer-sponsored dental benefits. Dependent coverage is especially important given that dental costs account for about 20% of a child’s total health care expenses.12
Seventy-six percent of parents with dental benefits report that their children visit the dentist at least twice a year.⁵
Of course, household income is a major factor in whether children receive regular dental care. Parents with annual income under $50,000 visit the dentist less often for their own care compared to those in higher-income households. They are also less likely to bring their children to the dentist for preventive care.10
Children in lower-income households are twice as likely to receive no preventive dental care.
In addition to cost, literacy around good oral hygiene habits — or lack thereof — may be a contributing factor: Lower-income parents receive below-average scores on Guardian’s oral health and dental benefits quiz; 58% failed the quiz.6 Most parents are unaware that the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends children receive a dental exam by their first tooth or first birthday.6
Increasing the use of preventive dental care can help improve workforce physical, mental, and financial wellness
Following the recommendations of a dental professional regarding the frequency of exams and cleanings not only improves oral health but can facilitate early detection of other potentially serious physical and mental health conditions. What’s more, healthy teeth and gums are less likely to require more expensive dental procedures such as crowns, implants, and root canals, which can lower out-of-pocket costs for workers and their families. Finally, dental benefits plans that encourage the use of preventive care can help employers better control claim costs associated with dental and medical conditions. An ounce of oral care prevention creates a valuable win-win for employers and their workforce.