Provision of NHS Dental Stabilisation Services

The Commissioning Hub, on behalf of the Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in the South West region, are recommissioning NHS Stabilisation Services across the South West (except Gloucestershire) and seek to determine the level of market interest in the provision of these services. We are in the early stages of engagement and the intention is to invite potential providers to attend a series of initial market engagement events, taking place across the region in June 2024.

Stabilisation deals with the provision of a definitive course of treatment for patients without access to an NHS dentist(s) who may have a urgent care need, or are in need of dental intervention to prevent their condition worsening and requiring urgent treatment. Stabilistion should stabilise the dental issue over a course of treatment that, in the clinical judgement of the dentist, will prevent the person from accessing urgent care with the same issue within the following 12 months.

The service criteria is:

Patients that have had an urgent care treatment, do not have an NHS dentist to request further treatment, and require further stabilisation treatment to stop them presenting to Urgent Care within the next 12 months.

and/or

Patients with high level of dental need, that does not meet the urgent care criteria, i.e.,

Broken teeth, broken or lost fillings.

Loose, broken, or displaced crowns, bridges, or veneers.

Broken, lost or ill-fitting dentures.

The proposed market engagement events have been scheduled at the following dates, times and locations:

Tuesday 25th June, 10 -13:00, Jenner House, Avon Way Chippenham SN15 1GG

Wednesday 26th June, 13:30 - 16:30, South West House, Blackbrook Park, Taunton TA1 2PX

Friday 28th June, 9 - 12.00, Chy Room, Cornwall Council, Chy Trevail, Beacon Technology Park, Bodmin PL31 2FR

At the events, further detail of the service specification for this service and contract model will be shared and potential providers will have an opportunity to help inform the recommissioning strategy.

Each event will follow the same format and therefore an organisation need only attend one event. Three events are being held, solely to enable greater coverage and accessibility.

The events are open to all providers who may want to deliver NHS stabilisation services in the South West region, in the future. If you would like to attend any of the events, please register your interest by sending an email to england.swdental@nhs.net, titled 'Registration for Stabilisation Services Engagement Event' and including the following details by no later than 12 noon, Monday 10th June 2024

Further details of the events will be provided to those who register. This may include the sharing of a draft service specification to help facilitate discussions during the events.

Places will be initially limited to 2 attendees per provider.

This exercise is being carried out by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioner.