Children’s dental problems are leading to almost half (46%) of working parents working extra hours, Bupa Dental Care reveals. The study also highlights the significant knock-on effects on business productivity and economic impact that poor oral health in children has on a parent’s working day, with two in five (39%) stating that their child’s dental pain or dental appointments have directly disrupted workdays.
The impact on productivity is stark, as 45% of parents admit they have missed an important meeting, deadline, or work commitment because of their child’s dental issues. For nearly one in five (19%), this professional disruption has happened on multiple occasions.
With tooth decay remaining one of the leading causes of hospital admissions among young children in England, the disruption is hitting both education and the workforce.
More than three-quarters (78%) of parents say their child has taken time off school due to being unwell in the past 12 months, with the average absence lasting three days. For many families, the disruption lasts even longer. Nearly three in ten (29%) say their child missed more than three days, while 12% say their child had more than six days off school specifically due to dental issues. To cope with the pressure, almost half of parents (46%) say they have been forced to work evenings or weekends to catch up on corporate responsibilities after taking time off for dental appointments or emergencies. For 18%, this has become a regular occurrence.
Dr Neil Sikka, Director of Dentistry at Bupa Dental Care, commented: “These findings clearly show that children’s dental health is no longer just a domestic issue; it is a workplace productivity issue. When a child suffers from dental pain or misses school, the operational burden heavily shifts to the parents, forcing many to miss critical meetings or log on during weekends just to catch up.
“By managing children’s oral health proactively, we can prevent the acute pain and dental emergencies that lead to sudden absenteeism, ultimately helping parents maintain a healthier balance between family life and their professional commitments.”
Ripple Effect conducted this research among a nationally representative sample of 1,000 parents and 1,000 children aged 3–10. Fieldwork took place in March this year.
