December 2019
Actionable insights to inform Cigna Dental Health Connect™
clinical workplace solutions
How much does oral health impact wellness
including self-esteem? Turns out, a lot.
A new Cigna survey [PDF]1 found
that more than 25 percent of American adults are insecure about their oral
health. The study revealed an important correlation between routine dental care
and self-confidence – 75 percent of individuals who visit the dentist regularly
(at least twice per year) report very good self-confidence.
The recent survey fielded by M/A/R/C® Research
of 1,000 U.S. adults at least 18 years old also revealed a generational divide
in oral health perceptions and dental care. Nearly three-quarters (74%) of Gen
Z say their oral health could be improved as compared with only half of (50%)
of Baby Boomers or older generations. Younger generations are also more likely
to associate oral health with confidence and social comfort, yet older
generations visit the dentist more frequently.
“At Cigna, we are continually examining the
intrinsic connection between body and mind and this survey clearly confirms
oral health has an impact on self-esteem,” said Fred Scardellette, vice
president of dental and vision business at Cigna. “Our goal is to help our
customers live their healthiest and most vital lives, which correlates to how
our customers think and feel about themselves. Every day, our team of dental
experts are accelerating innovation to make dental care more personal, convenient
and affordable for our customers.”
The survey also uncovered obstacles to
maintaining oral care. Work schedules and difficulty getting to the dentist’s
office were cited as the top challenges among those who the dentist
inconvenient. The data also revealed the desire for on-site dental appointments
at the workplace and virtual visits, predominantly among Millennials and Gen Z.
How Employers Can Make a Difference
The Cigna Dental Health Connect™ solution is a
suite of clinical programs designed to help employers provide meaningful dental
care services tailored for their workforce, wherever they are in their health
journey. These programs are aimed at improving whole person health through
convenient access to oral care and reducing the risk of complications stemming
from oral health disease include:
·
Onsite
care: Cigna brings
in-network dental care providers right to the workplace making dental check-ups
and cleanings more convenient than ever.
·
Dental
outreach program: Cigna engages
employees with a chronic health condition that is associated with gum disease
and have not seen a dentist in more than seven months to help them stay on top
of their preventive care and avoid complications with their medical condition.
·
Safe
prescribing measures: Cigna works
together with dental providers through monitoring, coaching and safe
prescribing protocols, helping to protect employees from misuse, addiction and
overdose.
·
Chronic
condition support: For employees
with certain chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease, or for those
who are pregnant, the Cigna Dental Oral Health Integration Program®2 offers
reimbursement of out of pocket costs for certain dental services to reduce the
impact gum disease can have on their condition.
“Cigna Dental Health Connect wraps our
customers in care through a model that provides convenient preventive dental
care solutions, proactively intervenes, and ensures access to high quality
dental care,” said Dr. Cary Sun, chief dental officer at Cigna. “Through this
program, we are empowering all our customers to improve their oral health and hopefully,
live more confidently every day.”
Read the complete survey findings: Behind the Smile – Oral Health Impacts Self-Esteem,
Confidence and Employability [PDF]
Thanks for taking the time to share this very informative information with us. This was such a great read filled with wonderful details. Have a great rest of your day and keep up the posts.
ReplyDeleteDentist Philadelphia