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 (12,000 Units of Orthodontic Activity (UOAs) per annum) • Lot 2: Thame (4,000 UOAs per annum) • Lot 3: Eastleigh (10,000 UOAs per annum) • Lot 4: Dover (11,000 UOAs per annum)

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 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 Commissioner(s).

Additional information: Contracts have been awarded for the Oxford, Thame and Eastleigh lots as follows: • Lot 1: Oxford - Oxford Orthodontics Practice Ltd (previously DCG Trading 3 Ltd), anticipated annual contract value £723,360.00, commencement date 12th June 2023. A contract has been awarded for an initial term of 7 years, with an option to extend for a further 2 years at the sole discretion of the Commissioner. • Lot 2: Thame - Oxford Orthodontics Ltd, anticipated annual contract value £241,120.00, commencement date 19th July 2023. A contract has been awarded for an initial term of 6 years, 8 months and 13 days, with an option to extend for a further 2 years at the sole discretion of the Commissioner. • Lot 3: Eastleigh - Smile Care Eastleigh Ltd, anticipated annual contract value £602,800.00, commencement date 1st April 2023. A contract has been awarded for an initial term of 7 years, with an option to extend for a further 2 years at the sole discretion of the Commissioner.

The contract values are based on 21/22 prices and will be subject to Dentist and Doctor Pay Review (DDRB) adjustments in the period up to April 2023 and annually thereafter.

No bids were received for Lot 4: Dover and therefore a contract has not been awarded for this area.

The services are healthcare services falling within Schedule 3 to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 ("the Regulations") which are not subject to the full regime of the Regulations, but is instead governed by the "Light Touch Regime" contained within Chapter 3, Section 7 of the Regulations (Regulations 74 to 77).