Orthodontic Services in Oxford, Thame, Eastleigh and Dover

NHS England South East (the Commissioner) sought to recommission Level 2 and 3a NHS Orthodontic Services in the Oxford, Thame, Eastleigh and Dover areas. Adverts were placed on Contracts Finder and the Find a Tender Service and an Invitation to Tender (ITT) process, based on the Open procedure, was undertaken during summer / autumn 2022 to identify the Most Economically Advantageous Tender and therefore determine the incoming provider. The procurement was split into four lots, as follows so as to provide maximum flexibility to both the Commissioner and Bidders and interested parties were able to bid for one or two lots; • Lot 1: Oxford • Lot 2: Thame • Lot 3: Eastleigh • Lot 4: Dover Orthodontics is the dental specialty concerned with facial growth, development of the dentition and occlusion, and the assessment, diagnosis, interception and treatment of malocclusions and facial irregularities. The overall aim of the service is to provide equitable, accessible, high quality and cost effective specialist orthodontic services, in line with the National Guide for Commissioning Orthodontics, 2015 and NHS Personal Dental Services (PDS) Agreements Regulations 2005. Orthodontics is mainly provided for children and adolescents who meet the agreed criteria for NHS treatment and for adults where there is clinical justification and where prior approval has been agreed with the commissioner. The service includes: • Assessment and treatment delivered according to each patient's clinical needs, including interceptive treatment and in hours urgent care • Treatment includes examination, taking of radiographs, diagnosis, preventative care, advice, planning of orthodontic treatment, supply and repair of orthodontic appliances including retainers for a period of 12 months following the completion of active orthodontic treatment • Appropriate referral to other healthcare providers for mandatory or advanced mandatory services or any other appropriate and necessary healthcare • Advice to the patient and other clinicians where appropriate The contracts are limited to orthodontic treatment within complexity Level 2 and 3a and excludes all mandatory services and the following additional services: • Sedation services • Domiciliary services • Minor oral surgery • Dental public health services • Orthodontic complexity level 1 and 3b cases This procurement has been carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.