Cigna: Low penetration of dental plans a broker opportunity

While over 93% of respondents rated their dental health as important, nearly 1 in 3 have had to cancel or delay dental treatment due to cost.

CIGNA HealthCare research into how the British fund dental care also concluded 21% of respondents in one region took unplanned time off work due to dental problems.

Only 5% of respondents had an employer paid dental plan and only 15% in total had a plan at all.

Yet more than half (55%) of respondents said they were willing to pay £10 or more per month towards maintaining their dental health. The research indicated that currently 71% self pay for dental treatment.

CIGNA UK's Head of Product Management, Kirsty Jagielko says: "Oral health problems are increasingly being linked to more serious health conditions such as heart disease - so it's concerning to see that so many people are having to delay or cancel treatment.

"The fact that a fairly significant number of people have reported taking unplanned time off work due to dental problems should be a concern for employers - and is only likely to become more of a problem at a time when disposable income is at its lowest in decades.

"It's clear that the low penetration of dental plans provides an opportunity for brokers to advise employers on how they can support employees in maintaining their dental health".