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6 May 2008
The
Straits Times
Most low-income workers don't visit the dentist regularly
Survey finds many are unaware of dental benefits and won't go unless boss pays
MOST low-income workers in Singapore do not visit the dentist regularly as they are
unaware of company dental benefits and will not go for dental care unless the
boss
pays.
The findings from a recent survey also show that some employers do not rate
dental
care as important and fail to provide adequate benefits.
Yet, the Singapore Human Resources Institute (SHRI) and the Singapore Dental Health
Foundation, which collaborated on the survey, said simple preventive measures
such
as regular visits to the dentist can cut gum disease, which is linked to more
serious
health problems such as diabetes, stroke and pre-term low-weight babies.
The SHRI Research Centre surveyed 1,500 companies, including 500 small and
medium-size enterprises, and focused on blue-collar workers.
It found that 64 per cent of workers surveyed did not visit a dentist at least
twice a year,
which is the recommended practice.
Only 54 per cent of the respondents' companies provided dental benefits and just
32
per cent of employees felt that the dental benefit policy of their firms had
been properly
explained.
Two in three respondents, or 68 per cent, said they would visit a dentist only
if their
companies paid for it.
The survey, which was released at the Singapore Human Resources Congress
yesterday, found that in most cases, information on company dental benefits was
communicated only at recruitment.
'Only a small percentage received information about dental care from the
company's
compensation plans,' the report said.
Ms Karen Lim, a human resource professional with Janco Aviation, was quoted in
the
survey as saying that such details were not presented regularly.
'Information about preventive dental care reaches us in bits and pieces. I came
to know
about it when I conceived my child. I think there must be yearly campaigns to
spread
awareness,' said Ms Lim.
The senior manager at SHRI Research Centre, Ms Jayanthee Mukherjee, said many
companies and employees perceived dental care as too expensive and not
essential.
However, providing dental benefits can help employers cut costs while showing
concern for their staff.
SHRI said: 'The person who practises good oral health is far more likely to
avoid
smoking, care about diet and exercise, and thereby develop a healthy body.
'Companies will, in return, benefit from the costs saved through reduced general
health
care expenses.'
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