Special Care and Paediatric Dental Services

CPV: Dental practice and related services

Procedure method

Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition

Legal basis

CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)

Procurement category

Services

Notice status

Awarded without competition

Procurement threshold

Unspecified in notice

Regulatory regime

Standard

Commercial structure

Stand-alone contract (no framework)

Competition type

Direct award (no call for competition)

GPA / WTO covered

Unspecified in notice

Recurring procurement

Unspecified in notice

First published

3 Mar 2026, 10:46 GMT

Last source update

1 Jun 2026, 14:22 BST

FTS notice number

2026/S 000-051436

Classification (CPV)

Dental practice and related services

Delivery area

South East (UKJ2)

Official registry OCID

ocds-h6vhtk-066098 Find a Tender

Why no open competition

The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the directive

Published justification

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by midnight on 14/03/2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.

Any written representations should be sent to robert.kitt1@nhs.net

Publisher note: Award decision-makers: Amy Galea, Chief Commissioning Officer, Neighbourhood Health and Partnerships, NHS Surrey Heartlands ICB Conflicts of Interest have been considered in forums associated with the commissioning of this service; none have arisen and required mitigation. Key Criteria are considered of equal value regards this service and the incumbent provider demonstrates fulfilling provision to the standard required and is anticipated to continue doing so. Quality and Innovation •Delivery of consistently high-quality care aligned with national clinical standards for Special Care and Paediatric Dentistry. •Patient outcomes and experience measures demonstrate effective, safe, and person-centred care. •Demonstration of successful management of complex cases •Innovation is embedded in clinical practice, demonstrating both quality and efficiency. •Diagnostic imaging tools for early detection and complex case planning e.g. OPG/Cone beam). •Child-friendly solutions and approaches. •Teledentistry for pre-assessment and follow-up, improving access and reducing unnecessary travel. •Enhanced and combined sedation techniques for complex cases. •Consultants in paediatric and special care dentistry provide training for the CDS and are available to offer support; SASH is an IASCD-accredited training centre and has a dental sedation working group that meets quarterly. Annual sedation training for all staff ensures practice is aligned to the latest national standards. •Trauma-informed care training provided for dental teams to improve patient experience and outcomes. •Robust clinical governance e.g.compliance with IACSD standards for conscious sedation, use of audit tools and PROMS. •Clinical Excellence: Over 8,300 patients treated in 2024-25 with a case mix ratio of 83%, indicating high complexity care. •Patient Satisfaction: Your Care Matters survey scores shared with staff to support service development. •Innovative Sedation Techniques: Nasal spray sedation enables complex procedures in community settings, avoiding hospital admissions. •Digital Transformation: Investment in digital records and scheduling systems improved efficiency and patient experience. •Award Recognition: Staff nominated for awards, reflecting peer recognition of quality. •No SIs and no complaints during 24/25 and year to date. •Comprehensive dental audit programme covering a range of topics, including clinical record keeping, sedation-related audits, mouth care audits, and audits focusing on specific clinical areas for both paediatric and adult patients. Value Value to Patients • Reduced waiting times through effective triage and prioritisation. • Improved experience via trauma-informed care, behavioural support, and accessible environments. • Continuity of care for vulnerable patients, including transitions from paediatric to adult services. Value to Providers • Efficient use of clinical time through digital triage, virtual consultations, and streamlined referral pathways. • Workforce development through training in sedation, safeguarding, and special care techniques. • Provider participates in local pilots e.g. DPASS. • Alignment with ICS priorities on reducing health inequalities and improving access. Value to the System • Unnecessary referrals to secondary care and reduced hospital admissions minimised. • Sedation pathways reduce reliance on GA, freeing up hospital capacity. • Data-driven service planning using activity reports, patient feedback, and predictive analytics. • Service aligns with ICS priorities on reducing health inequalities and improving access. • Support for integrated care models and shared outcomes across services. • Contribution to population health through early intervention and prevention. • Integrated care models and shared outcomes across services - team works closely with hospital services to manage complex cases e.g. in paediatric trauma, treatment is planned by a consultant, but ongoing care is often provided by community dentists. • DOMS service sees patients at home who may require sedation in hospital, helping to manage their care so they only need to attend hospital once, with transport arranged as needed. Home visits also allow for more thorough assessment of patients with challenging behaviours, supporting clinical decision-making about whether general anaesthesia is required. • Delivery provided at a competitive tariff. Integration, collaboration and service sustainability • Service operates in alignment with ICS priorities and local oral health strategies. • Service embedded within local care pathways, working closely with community services, safeguarding teams, and hospital trusts evidenced by Integrated Community Framework and being part of Surrey's health system since 2012 with strong established local partnerships. • Active role in multidisciplinary care planning for vulnerable children and adults, involving paediatrics, CAMHS, learning disability services, and social care. • Engagement with safeguarding boards, community dental networks, and ICB-led working groups. • Shared protocols for hospital-based procedures and transitions of care. • Various staffing networks: • Ethnically Diverse / BAME Network • Disabled Staff Network • LGBT+ Network • Living & Ageing Well Network • Men's Health Network • Strong partnerships forged with health, education, and social care to support holistic care planning. • Participation in local transformation programmes and pilots to improve access and reduce inequalities. Service Sustainability • Workforce planning and strategies for retention of specialist staff • Ongoing training. • Commitment to environmentally sustainable practices. • Shared care records and interoperable systems support continuity of care. • Contribution to population health goals through prevention, early intervention, and outreach. Improving access, reducing health inequalities and facilitating choice Improving Access • Multiple clinic locations across the ICB footprint, including outreach and domiciliary services. • Flexible appointments, including extended hours and virtual consultations. • Digital tools to support triage and reduce travel barriers e.g. teledentistry • Reduced Waiting Times: Majority of patients assessed within 12 weeks; nearly all treated within 18 weeks. Reducing Health Inequalities • Targeted care for underserved populations provided, including: • Children with special educational needs. • Adults with learning disabilities or mental health conditions. • Patients from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. • Partnership working with public health teams, community organisations, and social care. • Demographic and outcomes data used to monitor equity and inform improvement. • Vulnerable Groups targeted: Service is designed for patients with disabilities, neurodivergence, and complex medical needs. Facilitating Choice • Clear information provided on service locations, referral pathways, and treatment options e.g. sedation vs GA. • Support provided for informed consent and shared decision-making. • Flexible appointments, choice and control provided. Social Value Economic and Community Value • Service employs local staff and supports skills development through apprenticeships, training, and CPD. • Service engages with local schools, charities, and community groups to promote oral health education. • Participation in flexible commissioning initiatives to address gaps in access and provision. • Inclusive Employment evidenced through SASH's Inclusive Recruitment and Development Policy which encourages applications from under-represented groups, offers flexible working patterns, job shares, and compressed hours. • Spending evidenced on oral health campaigns and education materials to reduce long-term treatment needs. Social Impact • Service has built trust through culturally competent care and consistent outreach. • Patients and carers in service design and feedback loops. • Case studies demonstrate life-changing outcomes for patients and families, including reduced anxiety and increased independence. Environmental Sustainability • Digital records and virtual consultations reduce paper and travel. • Green policies implemented in clinical settings • Participation in ICS-wide sustainability programmes. • SASH's sustainability programme, Care Without Carbon, aligns dental service delivery with NHS Net Zero goals, contributing to environmental well-being. This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to decision makers by midnight on 14/03/2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR. Any written representations should be sent to robert.kitt1@nhs.net

• Surrey & Sussex Healthcare NHS TrustAwarded supplierGB-NHS: RTP Trust Headquarters, East Surrey Hospital, Canada Avenue, Redhill, South East, RH1 5RH

No document links were published on the notice.