Dental practice and related services

Tender description

The normal working hours for the majority of NHS dental practices fall within 8:00 to 18:30 on weekdays. Out-of-hours dental services are those which have been specifically commissioned to provide treatment for urgent dental problems which occur outside of these hours or on public holidays. Urgent dental care services are particularly important in managing severe dental and facial pain and preventing dental conditions from becoming life threatening. Users of urgent dental care services tend to be those with a high level of oral health needs. A lack or inadequate provision of unscheduled dental services could lead to adverse consequences for patients and additional pressures on medical services, including GP out-of-hours services and Accident and Emergency departments. This procurement will deliver the Out-of-Hours Urgent Dental Care Treatment service (the Service). This includes the service objectives, the hours of service provision required and patient access standards. The contract will be for the performance of dental Out of Hours services within the geography. Lots will be determined based upon a review currently being finalized by the commissioner and will be made available to all bidders as the contract is opened for competition. Bidders will receive a full specification and be entitled to bid for as many lots as they feel they can successfully deliver.