Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Tower Hamlets
Tower Hamlets Town Hall, 160 Whitechapel Road
London
E1 1BJ
Contact
Ms Joanne Spree
joanne.spree@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 2073645000
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKI - London
Internet address(es)
Main address
http://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk
Buyer's address
http://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk
one.3) Communication
Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
one.5) Main activity
Health
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
HAC6132 - Supervised Toothbrushing Targeted Programme
Reference number
DN788377
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Deliver a targeted supervised toothbrushing programme for children aged 3-5 years old who live in areas with the greatest deprivation.
Improve oral health outcomes for children, build lifelong good oral health habits and decrease health care spend on preventable dental health issues in childhood.
Justification for contract duration:
Government funding has only been guaranteed for one year. After this time we are planning to combine the supervised toothbrushing and fluoride varnish programmes into one contract starting in September 2026
Impact:
Despite being largely preventable, tooth decay remains the most common oral disease among children and young people in England (PHE 2019)[1]. Oral health plays a critical role in children’s overall wellbeing and development, impacting not only their physical health but also their ability to sleep, eat, speak, play and socialise with other children. Poor oral health can lead to missed school days due to dental pain, affecting children’s learning, development, and school readiness. It is estimated that nationally at least 60,000 days are missed from school during the year for hospital extractions (OHID 2022)[2]. There are also wider implications for families, as parents may need to take time off work to attend dental appointments with their children.
Introducing a supervised toothbrushing programme aims to:
Reduce the incidence and prevalence of decayed missing and filled teeth (DMFT) in the target population
Increase the proportion of children free from dental caries/decay
Improve the overall oral health status of vulnerable children from low income households with the overall aim of reducing health inequities
Support children to develop good oral hygiene habits resulting in improved lifelong oral health
Support children's right to the best possible standard of health under the UN Convention on the Rights of Child, as endorsed by our local Accelerate! Tower Hamlets Children and Families Partnership Strategy 2024-2029
two.1.5) Estimated total value
Value excluding VAT: £79,017.25
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.2) Description
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKI - London
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Government guidance requires the programme to be delivered by a suitable community dental provider, such as NHS Community Dental Services, the market for which is limited both nationally, and locally in the London region. Following the PSR ‘Most Suitable Provider’ process, we are intending to undertake a market engagement event to identify the most suitable provider and expect to be able to directly award this new contract following this event.
two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice
11 September 2025
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes