Dental Public Health Intelligence Programme (DPHIP) Survey Fieldwork 3 year old Nursery / Pre-school Children

The national programme of dental surveys are co-ordinated by OHID. The surveys are conducted according to a national standard protocol and examiners are trained and calibrated to a national standard.

The sampling procedure conforms to the national standard and is agreed with the DPHET survey co-ordinator before fieldwork is carried out. DPHIP epidemiology co-ordinators are employed by OHID .

They work on a regional basis and are responsible for quality assurance of the fieldwork carried out in their area. This quality assurance and standardisation allows local, regional and national comparisons of the data.

The OHID DPHIP incorporates all aspects of the former NHS Dental Epidemiology Programme. This programme supports the collection, analysis and dissemination of reliable and robust information on the oral health needs of local populations.

Every LA in England is responsible for monitoring the health needs of their population. Through a Statutory Instrument, local authorities are specifically required to provide, or make arrangements to secure the provision of, oral health surveys (as part of their dental public health functions) to facilitate the: • Assessment and monitoring of oral health needs, • Planning and evaluation of oral health improvement programmes, • Planning and evaluation of NHS dental services and • Monitoring and reporting of the effect of water fluoridation programmes (when appropriate).

Additional information: The services will be procured under Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 utilising The Most Suitable Provider Process. The regional DPHIP coordinator will ensure that protocols, methods of data collection and appropriate training and calibration of fieldwork teams are available.

Suitable clinical examiner(s) will be identified from among the Provider's Staff, along with sufficient support Staff for administration, recording and data entry. These personnel will need to be relieved of any usual clinical duties to allow for all survey related activities to be undertaken within the prescribed timescale.

Relevant members of the fieldwork team will need to be supported to attend all necessary training and calibration events provided by the OHID DPHIP coordinator at regional level. The Provider will only use clinical examiner(s) who have successfully calibrated at the relevant regional calibration session, using guidance provided by BASCD and OHID protocols.

The Service shall carry out DPHIP surveys for the local authority Boroughs of: Cheshire West and Chester, Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, Warrington and Wirral. The provider is required to liaise with the relevant settings and work with them to encourage participation in the surveys and in obtaining agreement to participate from individuals, parents and carers according to the national protocol.

This may involve the Supplier visiting the settings and communicating with governors, parents, teachers and managers and this is inclusive within the value of the Contract The service is an opt-in service where acceptance of the Dental epidemiology (3-year old children screening) offer is obtained from the parents/carers/guardians. The Provider will minimise the risk of a child being screened when their parents have opted-out).

Suitable clinical examiner(s) will be identified by the supplier, along with sufficient support staff for administration, sampling, recording and data entry, cleaning, and submission. The supplier must facilitate and support the fieldwork team's attendance at training and calibration described in the national protocol and guidance.