Supervised Toothbrushing Services

Supervised toothbrushing schemes for nursery and reception age children are evidence-based, effective interventions which reduce young children's experience of dental decay and their associated treatment needs. These schemes enable children in early years' education settings to brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste after lunch each day they attend, under supervision from staff.

Supervised toothbrushing is endorsed by NICE as a priority oral health improvement intervention in areas where children are at high risk of poor oral health, as specified in the following recommendations: • Recommendation 15: Consider supervised toothbrushing schemes for nurseries in areas where children are at high risk of poor oral health; • Recommendation 19: Consider supervised toothbrushing schemes for primary schools in areas where children are at high risk of poor oral health [PH55]. After conducting an assessment of the incumbent provider, taking into account the key criteria and applying the basic selection criteria, NHS Devon ICB is content that the existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard.

All requirements under Regulation 6(5) have been met, including not breaching the considerable change threshold, and therefore direct award process C has been deemed the appropriate provider selection process. The service is anticipated to commence on the 1st of September 2026 for a contract duration of 1 year until the 31st August 2027 with an optional extension period of up to 1 year, with a total value of £656,398.96.

This transparency notice serves as an intention to award the contract to the incumbent provider, using direct award process C under the Provider Selection Regime (PSR). This process has been undertaken by NHS Devon ICB and supported by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.

Supervised toothbrushing schemes for nursery and reception age children are evidence-based, effective interventions which reduce young children's experience of dental decay and their associated treatment needs. These schemes enable children in early years' education settings to brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste after lunch each day they attend, under supervision from staff.

Supervised toothbrushing is endorsed by NICE as a priority oral health improvement intervention in areas where children are at high risk of poor oral health2, as specified in the following recommendations: • Recommendation 15: Consider supervised toothbrushing schemes for nurseries in areas where children are at high risk of poor oral health; • Recommendation 19: Consider supervised toothbrushing schemes for primary schools in areas where children are at high risk of poor oral health [PH55]. The new contract will run for 12 months and will provide continuity while future commissioning arrangements are developed.

Oral health improvement is a local authority statutory responsibility, and the local authorities in Devon intend to take responsibility for commissioning the service in the future. The 12-month arrangement will provide time for the ICB and local authorities to complete a smooth transition and ensure that learning from the service over the past three to four years informs the future service model and planned competitive procurement.

After conducting an assessment of the incumbent provider, taking into account the key criteria and applying the basic selection criteria, NHS Devon ICB is content that the existing provider is satisfying the original contract and will likely satisfy the proposed contract to a sufficient standard. All requirements under Regulation 6(5) have been met, including not breaching the considerable change threshold, and therefore direct award process C has been deemed the appropriate provider selection process.

The service is anticipated to commence on the 1st of September 2026 for a contract duration of 1 year until the 31st August 2027 with an optional extension period of up to 1 year, with a total value of £656,398.96. This transparency notice serves as an intention to award the contract to the incumbent provider, using direct award process C under PSR. This process has been undertaken by NHS Devon ICB supported by NHS South, Central and West Commissioning Support Unit (SCW) on behalf of the Commissioners.