Scope
Description
Poor oral health also has an impact on demand for NHS services. In 2023/24, Wirral had
the highest rates of tooth extraction in children and young people aged 0-19 in Cheshire
and Merseyside, with a rate of 498.2 per 100,000; this is compared to an average of 336.7
per 100,000 in the North-West overall (and it should be noted that the North-West in turn,
has higher rates than England overall).
Key Outcomes
1. Reduction in inequalities in the proportion of 0-17 year olds in Wirral who have seen a
dentist in the previous year (NHSBSA data)
2. Provision of a targeted community mobile dental service, which is free at the point of
use to children living in areas of deprivation who would not otherwise have access to
dentistry
3. Provision of regular reporting following each block of clinic visits, to include patient
numbers, specified demographics, type of dental issue experienced by patients, types of
treatment administered and feedback from patients and the dental professionals involved.
The service will provide 48 x visits of a mobile dental unit to Wirral; each clinic should
seeing on average, 8-12 patients per day/visit, with visits to take place at times and
locations.
Visits will provide treatment which consists of:
• Appropriately trained dental staff taking medical histories (to build up a relationship with
the patient to set them at ease)
• Patients to be offered dental screening and treatment to include oral cancer checks,
scale and polish, fluoride varnish, xrays, fillings and extractions as well as toothbrushing
and dietary advice as appropriate to their needs
• Appointments will be free at the point of use to patients
• Units to visit repeat locations to ensure treatment is ongoing if required, e.g. if patients
require several appointments to become dentally fit
• The service to be patient-led focusing on individual oral health needs and priorities; all
patients to be provided with preventive oral hygiene advice and instruction, plus an oral
hygiene pack to take away
• Treatment which will NOT be offered includes: root canal, implants or dentures, tooth
whitening, orthodontics or cosmetic dentistry
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This service is targeted at children (and in some cases, immediate family members,
dependent on individual circumstances), specifically:
• Children living in the most deprived areas of Wirral
• Children who have never seen a dentist, or have not seen a dentist in the last two years
and are not registered with a dentist currently
• Children experiencing dental pain
• Children whose oral health is affecting their schooling/education, health or mental health
These services have been procured under The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 under The Most Suitable Provider Process.
Contract 1. Dental Aid Services oral health work
Supplier
Contract value
- £88,000 excluding VAT
- £106,000 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Award decision date
14 September 2025
Earliest date the contract will be signed
29 September 2025
Contract dates (estimated)
- 27 October 2025 to 31 March 2027
- 1 year, 5 months, 5 days
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 85000000 - Health and social work services
Contract locations
- UKD74 - Wirral
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - unknown
Supplier
Dentaid Ltd (T/A Dentaid The Dental Charity)
116 Commercial Road, Totton
Southampton
SO40 3AD
United Kingdom
Email: John.elkins@dentaid.org
Region: UKJ36 - Central Hampshire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): Yes
Contract 1. Dental Aid Services oral health work
Contracting authority
Wirral Council
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PBCP-8675-BHWT
Town Hall, Brighton Street
Wallasey
CH44 8ED
United Kingdom
Region: UKD74 - Wirral
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government