Decision

Grant permission to procure the Enhanced Universal Supervised Toothbrushing Scheme for a term of 20 months via a competitive tender process.

Reasons for the decision

The council has determined in accordance with regulation 6 of the Provider Selection Regime that the most appropriate process to procure Cumberland’s Enhanced Universal Tooth Brushing Scheme is the Competitive Process under regulation 11.

This service will support Cumberland Councils plan to improve health and wellbeing, reducing inequalities, and delivering inclusive, resident-focused services. Further detail below.

Prevention and Early Intervention: Early intervention can significantly reduce the need for more costly dental treatments and ease pressure on NHS services.

Educational Impact: Improved oral health will reduce school absences, helping children achieve better educational outcomes.

Address Inequalities: By addressing health inequalities at a young age, the service will contribute to broader health equity goals.

Alternative options considered

The other procurement options considered were determined by the PSR rules which stipulate the relevant authority can use a competitive process when not required to follow direct award processes A or B or if the relevant authority cannot or does not wish to follow direct award process C or the most suitable provider process:

Direct award A and C: do not apply as there is not a provider currently delivering a like for like service. There are elements which are funded through the All Age Oral Health Improvement Service (AAOHIS). However, this programme is specific around Supervised Tooth Brushing and does not offer the additional activity that the AAOHIS does.

Direct Award B: does not apply as the Council does not offer a choice of provider, this is on the basis that the service is commissioned to be delivered by one provider only to properly meet the needs of the population. Particularly as the Council considers challenges relating to rurality and variation in socio-economic circumstances in the county.

Most Suitable Provider Process: the Council does not have enough evidence and knowledge to identify the most suitable provider within the timescales.