Mobile Dental Services for Children in Deprived Areas of Wirral

This procurement seeks a provider to deliver a mobile dental unit service providing free dental care to children in Wirral's most deprived areas. The service addresses high tooth extraction rates in young people aged 0-19 (498.2 per 100,000 in 2023/24, significantly above regional averages) and aims to reduce oral health inequalities. The provider will conduct 48 clinic visits across Wirral, with each visit serving 8-12 patients per day. Services must be free at point of use and target children aged 0-17 who live in deprived areas, have never seen a dentist, have not visited a dentist in the last two years, are experiencing dental pain, or whose oral health is affecting their education, health, or mental wellbeing. Dental treatments to be provided include: medical history taking, dental screening, oral cancer checks, scale and polish, fluoride varnish, X-rays, fillings, extractions, toothbrushing instruction, and dietary advice. All patients receive preventive oral hygiene advice and an oral hygiene pack. The service should establish relationships with patients through repeat visits to the same locations to ensure ongoing treatment where needed. Treatments explicitly excluded from this service are: root canal therapy, implants, dentures, tooth whitening, orthodontics, and cosmetic dentistry. Providers must submit regular reports after each clinic block including patient numbers, demographics, dental issues treated, treatments administered, and feedback from patients and dental professionals. This is a Most Suitable Provider Process procurement under The Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023.