smiling healthy woman

Importance of Employee Wellness

Looking after your employee’s health is key to workplace wellbeing. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognises the workplace as an optimum location to promote and empower people about their health. It is generally accepted that a healthy workforce helps employers by:

Benefits to the organisation

  • Well managed health & safety programme
  • Positive & caring image
  • Improved staff morale
  • Reduced staff turnover
  • Reduced absenteeism
  • Increased productivity
  • Reduced health/insurance costs
  • Reduced risk of fines & litigation

Benefits to the employees

  • Safe & healthy work environment
  • Enhanced self-esteem
  • Reduced stress
  • Improved morale
  • Increased job satisfaction
  • Increased skills for health protection
  • Improved health status
  • Improved sense of wellbeing

More than 9 in 10 organisations now offer at least one wellness incentive.

IFEBP, 2017

70% of employers have improved their physical environments to encourage healthy behaviours.

Forbes, 2019

About 87% of employees said they consider health and wellness offerings when choosing an employer.

Forbes 2013

91% of employees in organisations run by executives who support wellbeing initiatives believe they are motivated to achieve their best at work.

American Psychological Association, 2017

Wellness by DeCare

Oral and optical health are closely linked to overall wellbeing. Wellness from DeCare offers a range of general health clinics including oral and optical wellness training and programs. We offer expert advice on wellness services to suit your company, and deliver them in a cost-effective and timely manner.

These services are designed for a whole variety of settings including workplace settings of the small, medium and large ranges and school settings. We also provide oral health training and consulting for healthcare settings including nursing homes, hospitals, hospices and other caring organisations.

We welcome all inquiries about our services and we are happy to discuss a range of options with you when developing your customised wellness health calendar.

Explore our wellness clinics

Wellness Clinics

With half of the world’s population in employment, and many working longer than ever before, focusing on wellbeing at work has the potential to change millions of lives.

For Employers, it is a great opportunity to unlock a healthier, higher-performing workforce, by empowering people to manage their wellbeing, at work and beyond. Of course, we are all different. There is no one size fits all when it comes to wellbeing. DeCare will develop a customised wellness health calendar to suit your company/organisation needs best.

DeCare has developed an extensive programme of wellbeing initiatives starting with Oral Health and evolving to include themes in areas where there is a recognised interface between Oral Health and General Health. These areas include Cardiovascular Health, Respiratory Health, Diabetes, Nutrition, Mental Health and Vision Health.

image closeup of dental work

With over 700 new cases of mouth cancer detected in Ireland each year, being aware of mouth cancer and its signs and symptoms can greatly help in its prevention and early detection.

This interactive oral cancer awareness clinic will increase awareness of Mouth, Head and Neck Cancer so that there is a better understanding of its signs and symptoms. As part of this clinic, our oral health experts will teach how to self-examine for regular checks for any danger signs.

Thinking about making that change? A motivational education module on Smoking Cessation.

This programme is designed with a motivational interviewing approach, which guides participants through their first step of a smoking cessation programme as they consider making a change in their lifestyle. It involves a guided discussion based approach that explores each individual’s story.

The links between smoking, oral health and general health are touched upon. Each participant has an opportunity to graduate themselves on a scale at the beginning and at the end of the session on how they rate their prospects of making that change.

Everything you need to know about looking after your oral health.

This session will guide you through everything you need to know about looking after your oral health.

Brushing, flossing, stress and tooth grinding along with mouth cancer awareness, updated DeCare plan information and all you need to know on mouth body connections and visiting the dentist. A presentation not to be missed with our dental professional.

Just a few small changes can change and make your life better.

This Clinic is an evidence-based lifestyle change programme to prevent Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes.

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Here in Ireland diabetes type 2 is on the increase and it is anticipated that it will increase to 278,000 people by 2030. This programme will explain what diabetes is? And an insight on all you need to know about the different types of diabetes. It will advise of the symptoms and what effect it can have on the different parts of the body. It will explain the modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors.

It shows how type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes can be prevented or delayed by maintaining a healthy body weight, a healthy diet, managing stress, and by increasing your physical activity. It shows how just a few small changes can change and make your life better.

Employees need to understand the importance and value of making the right lifestyle choices to reduce their risk of diabetes.

Do you know that 50% of 5 year-olds and 80% of 15 year old children have cavities (holes) in their teeth. This can not only be painful but can also hinder child development and lead to weight loss and poor learning at school.

This very informative session can teach parents and those with young family member how to care for their children’s teeth. It provides practical advice on how to help prevent dental disease in children and gives information on how existing conditions can be treated. Parents will leave this workshop with plenty of practical tips that can help them give their children the gift of a healthy confident smile.

Do you know how much sugar is contained in the food you eat every day? Do you understand the effect that sugar and your diet habits can have on your oral health?

This fun diet, nutrition and oral health workshop includes a visual display of common foods and drinks and their sugar content. Prepare to be shocked!

Find out how smart food choices can help protect your teeth from tooth decay and tooth erosion and get some easy tips to help you identify how much sugar is hidden in your food.

Mature plaque biofilm of more than 24 hours old releases toxins which cause inflammation of the gums. Understanding where this plaque biofilm is and how to remove it can help to reduce the risk of gum disease.

This oral hygiene clinic includes a simple plaque biofilm test, using a blue light to disclose mature plaque biofilm that has escaped routine cleaning. Oral hygiene instructions are provided to show how to dislodge the plaque biofilm without harming the gums. An oral health promotion expert is available to answer any dental queries.

The “Ask the Expert” online service, connects employees directly with our dental professionals for virtual consultations. 

This member-centric service is flexible and can cover a range of topics, from seeking advice on a specific dental issue to general policy queries. 

Our clinical team provides all necessary promotional materials and appointment setting links, ensuring that members have access to the information and support they need to navigate their dental benefits with confidence.

Discover the importance of maintaining healthy vision and gain valuable insights into common eye-related diseases and conditions. 

This informative presentation will guide you through the intricate workings of the eye, emphasising the significance of early detection and proper care. Learn about eye conditions for adults and children, preventive measures, and engage in a Q&A session with experts.

Discover the power of mental health awareness and learn how to build your own toolkit for wellbeing. 

Join us for an engaging presentation where experts will share practical strategies, reduce stigma, and provide resources to enhance your mental wellness. Gain insights on stress management, self-care, mindfulness, and effective communication skills. Take control of your mental health and cultivate resilience in a supportive community. 

Note: This presentation is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional mental health advice. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please seek help from a qualified mental health professional or contact your local helpline.

checklist

A comprehensive review of your employee’s health.

Health Screening is an excellent way to identify employees who may be at risk of serious cardiovascular issues. These one-to-one assessments involve an oral health check, blood pressure, body composition analysis with the option of a small finger-prick to draw a blood sample, which is then analysed in minutes to produce the attendee’s cholesterol scores.

These are key indicators of cardiovascular health, as unmanaged levels can contribute to cardiovascular conditions such as type-2 diabetes, heart attacks and strokes.

Our team then offers results review and lifestyle guidance and lifestyle medical advice

Learn More

Wellness Training

Training for Doctors, Nurses and Carers

This half day workshop explores the solutions and challenges surrounding Oral healthcare for Nurses Carers and Managers working within a variety of healthcare settings.

It aims to encourage all nursing/healthcare staff engaged in the delivery of oral healthcare to ensure that patients and residents receive safe and effective care using the most up to date knowledge, skills and techniques across a variety of healthcare settings.

 

The Course has two main aims;

  1. Raise skill levels of nursing staff in providing oral health care for patients/residents.
  2. Increasing knowledge and skills related to oral hygiene.

 

Part 1: The Oral Cavity

  • Raise skill levels of nursing staff in providing oral health care for patients / residents
  • Increasing knowledge and skills related to oral hygiene
  • Oral fungal infections
  • Oral viral Infections
  • Oral bacterial infections [Dental Decay and Periodontal disease]
  • Oral bisphosphonate osteonecrosis
  • Oral Cancers / Head and neck cancers

 

Part 2: Interactive Workshops

  • Denture Care cleaning and labeling
  • Oral hygiene and patient communication skills and techniques
  • Brushing- Inter-dental aids and oral health materials
  • Head and neck cancer screening- spot the signs
  • Diet and Nutrition
  • Smoking Cessation
  • Oral health Assessment tool
  • Communication skills for the dementia patient

 

After attending this course, staff will have gained the skills and knowledge to:

  1. Deliver quality care and be able to fill out the oral cavity assessment tool.
  2. Keep patients free of pain and infection.
  3. Keep patients comfortable, their mouth is moist and clear from dental plaque biofilm, calculus and food debris.
  4. Gain skills in denture labeling and cleaning.
  5. To use Inter-dental aids, brushes and oral health materials available to keep to mouth free of pain and infection.
  6. Understand the links between oral and general health.

 

Certificates in oral health care presented at the end of each training session.

NMBI Approved for the following fields:

  • General Nursing
  • Enduring Mental Health Difficulties
  • Infection prevention and control
  • Cancer Care and End of Life Care
  • Dementia Assessment & Nursing Care
  • Health Promotion
  • Older Person Care
  • Palliative Care
  • End of Life Decision Making
  • Self-Care Management
  • Oncology

 

2.5 CPD hours awarded in accordance with the NMBI guidance

This training will teach you everything you need to know to set up and manage a workplace wellness programme.

The course programme has six modules including mental health.

 

Why is it important?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has defined the workplace as the optimum place to promote health through collaboration and use of continual improvement processes to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of all workers. Companies of all sizes have an opportunity and responsibility to embed a credible wellbeing programme into the workplace culture that will improve society.

 

How can it help our organisation?

Statistics show that keeping employees happy can not only improve their quality of life – but it can significantly impact your bottom line with reduced healthcare costs and absenteeism rates along with improved employee morale and productivity. Working adults spend 60% of their waking hours at work and about 65% of the adult population are in the labour force.

 

Positive Effects

Having work

Having a supportive working environment

Negative Effects

Particular working conditions

Complex Relationships

Two way interaction / person & workplace

Three way interaction / manager, person & workplace

 

Current Programme

  • Current health trends the role of the wellness champion and manager
  • Background to the concepts and principles of health promotion
  • Determinants of physical, mental and social wellbeing
  • Mental health at work
  • Activity initiatives at work
  • Behaviour change in the workplace

People with mental health problems say that the social stigma attached to mental ill health and the discrimination they experience can make their difficulties worse and make it harder to recover.
  • 85% of people agree that “anyone can experience a mental health problem”, but, 62% would not want others knowing if they themselves had a mental health problem (HSE, 2007).
  • Mental illness is common. It affects thousands of people in Ireland, and their friends, families, work colleagues and society in general.
  • One in four people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives.
  • Around one in ten children experience mental health problems.
  • Depression affects around one in 12 of the whole population.
  • 450 million people world-wide have a mental health problem.
  • Most people who experience mental health problems recover fully, or are able to live with and manage them, especially if they get help early on.
This training will teach you everything you need to know to create a supportive environment for best mental health practices and reduce mental stigma at work

Wellness Resources

All of our wellness resources are developed in-house by our clinical team.

Explore

Let’s Talk

Call our dedicated customer service team on 094 93 78608

From our blog

View all
https://decare.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/New-Blog-Dimensions-1-2.webp
Wellness
True Inclusivity in the Workplace

Inclusiveness should extend to LGBTQIA+ employees along with the entire workforce, writes David Casey. In June, the nation and its…

https://decare.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/New-Blog-Dimensions-2.webp
Wellness
Men’s Health Week 2024 – Tackling Stress

In today’s fast-paced world, stress is a common companion for many men. Balancing work, family, and personal goals can create…

https://decare.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/New-Blog-Dimensions-1.webp
Wellness
Men’s Health Week 2024

Men’s Health Week takes place from June 10th to June 16th and is an opportune time to shine a light…