Bupa announced that it will offer free preventive treatment at its dental clinics for customers with Bupa dental insurance.
The company has also increased the preventive treatment benefit for dental plans and removed the previous two-visit limit for routine checkups and cleanings.
Under the new policy, all included services are covered for new patient checkups, including any X-rays, routine physicals, and cleanings and polishes performed as part of the checkup.
This means that dental plan customers will not incur additional costs for these appointments. Bupa has also expanded its coverage for preventive treatment performed at non-Bupa clinics. Customers can now claim reimbursement for each visit.
For customers with the Dental Choice product, Bupa will cover the full cost of new patient checkups at any of its clinics.
This policy applies to all policy levels. Bupa stated that approximately 70% of claims are for preventive treatment, primarily routine checkups and cleanings and polishes.
A survey of 2,000 adults revealed a clear gap between supply and demand: 79% of employees surveyed said they would accept dental benefits if offered by their employer, yet only about one-third of employers currently offer such benefits. The survey also revealed that 23% of respondents ranked dental insurance among their top three benefits that would make their employer more attractive.
The survey also identified key barriers to dental care: approximately 17% of respondents said they couldn’t afford dental care, and 16% cited the cost of appointments or treatment as the biggest barrier.
As a result, only 41% of employees visit the dentist regularly at least once every six months, and only 28% consider oral health to be part of overall health.
Research suggests that employer-provided dental insurance can alleviate these issues. Over half (53%) of employees said they would visit the dentist more frequently if their employer offered dental insurance.
Ann Stewart, Director of Dental Insurance at Bupa, stated that the company’s research reveals significant opportunities for employers to better meet employee needs. “Dental insurance is no longer a nice-to-have benefit; it’s something employees truly need and value.
For too long, dental affordability has hindered the uptake of preventative care. Our research confirms that cost is a major barrier and demonstrates a strong need for employer-provided solutions.
By improving the accessibility and affordability of oral care, employers can not only support employee health but also enhance their ability to attract and retain talent.”