Google's Unique Dental Plan

'
Did you know that Google is the first company -at least as far as anyone can tell- to have its own on-site dentist? That's right, a Google's main office in Mountain View, California (a.k.a. "GooglePlex"), they have a full-time dentist who not only works there during the day but also sleeps there at night as well.

Think of it as the ultimate form of dental insurance benefits.

Affectionately known as "Google Tooth (Beta)", Sam Gustard, DDS is Google's first on-site dentist since he started back in the summer of 2009. Not only does Dr. Gustard have here is own office and living quarters at GooglePlex, he also has his own dental blog where he explains the benefits of a large company having its own on-site dental office.

"Actually, I'm surprised more companies of their size don't have their own dentist. Just do the math: with 3000 employees visiting the dentist twice a year on weekdays, that's 24 patients a day, which is more than a full load. Do you want those people staying at work or leaving the office for several hours each time?", says Dr. Gustard. "On top of that, the after-hours service is key because people here are night owls, and a dental emergency could leave someone unable to work for quite some time during a key product release."

Do Google employees have any distinctively-Google dental care problems? "Late nights, stress, and cans of Coke seem to be a common thread among programmers, all of which hasten enamel decay and onset of gingivitis." said Dr.Gustard. "Hey, I don't mean to get too techie here. Just a reminder to keep that dental health in mind as you go about your day."

How cool is that? Well, it's cool at least until you run into your dentist in the cafeteria just as you bite into a big, fat candy bar.