Employees missing work due to oral health issues costs the UK £36.6 million a year, according to a new study.
The study of UK employees found that around 415,000 people miss at least one day of work due to oral health issues, and 20% claim they would take a day off sick because of toothache.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development has worked out that, on average, it costs £80.20 per person missing a day of work.
‘A toothache can make it difficult for someone to eat, drink, sleep and even talk,’ Michaela ONeill, president of the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT), said.
‘To have so many people being forced to miss work and costing the economy a staggering amount due to toothache and other oral health problems is a real eye opener, especially when many of the causes are entirely preventable.
‘We are taking this opportunity to remind everyone that by maintaining a good daily oral health routine they can avoid the unhappiness and pain that comes with oral health problems.
‘By visiting your dental team regularly you can put in place preventive treatments to avoid developing toothache.
‘There are many causes of toothache, it could be due to an infection, dental trauma or heightened sensitivity, the most common cause of toothache though is tooth decay.’
