Special Care & Paediatric Dentistry (SCPD) to NHS Kent and Medway ICB

NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) on behalf of NHS England

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

18 Feb 2026 at 17:04

Award

23 Jan 2026 at 13:27

Summary of the contracting process

NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB), representing NHS England, is set to award contracts for Special Care and Paediatric Dentistry (SCPD) services in the Kent and Medway area, effective from 1st April 2026 to 31st March 2029. The procurement falls under the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023, with a total contract value of £32,281,338. These services cater to individuals, mainly children and adults with additional needs who cannot be treated at general dental practices. Assessment criteria included quality, innovation, and social value, ensuring alignment with NHS priorities. The contracts will be awarded to Kent Community NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) and Medway Community Health (MCH), covering geographic areas of East Kent as well as Medway and West Kent.

Opportunities for business growth abound in this dedicated sector of healthcare services, particularly for businesses involved in specialised dental care. Though the contracts are awarded directly under Process C, it sets a benchmark for service quality and potential for future participations when contracts are re-evaluated. Companies with experience in delivering high-quality, innovative healthcare services that integrate well across systems and enhance accessibility while promoting social value will find themselves well-suited to compete in similar high-value tenders. The structure of service delivery, including home visits, presents an opportunity for organisations focused on expanding their operational reach across inclusive community health sectors.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Special Care & Paediatric Dentistry (SCPD) to NHS Kent and Medway ICB

Notice Description

This is an intention to award notice. SCPD services are available for children and adults with additional needs who are unable to have treatment at a general dental practice. It is a referral-only service, providing a range of dental treatments for children and adults with additional needs, including physical or learning disabilities, or where they have a need for additional support to receive treatment. Home visits are also provided for patients who are housebound. People are usually referred in via their dentist or doctor. NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) intends to award contracts to 2 existing providers following Direct Award Process C of the UK Health Care Services (PSR) Regulations 2023 for SCPD services in the Kent and Medway area. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. The existing SCPD contracts have previously been contracted under the Standard Clauses For A Personal Dental Services (PDS) Agreement and include the provision of general anaesthetic (GA) services. As the provision of services under GA is excluded under clause 73 of the PDS contract, SCPD GA services will instead be contracted for separately under NHS standard contracts. The terms of the existing SCPD contracts are due to expire on 31st March 2026 and NHS Kent and Medway ICB have proposed that new SCPD and SCPD GA contracts should replace the existing contracts at the end of their term. All requirements outlined in Regulation 6(5) of the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023 have been met, including that the considerable change threshold has not been met, and therefore Direct Award Process C has been determined as the appropriate provider selection process. After conducting assessments of the existing providers, taking into account the key criteria and applying the basic selection criteria, NHS Kent and Medway ICB is content that the existing providers are satisfying the original contracts and will likely satisfy the proposed contracts to a sufficient standard. The awarded contract will be for a term of 36 months and are due to commence from 1st April 2026, terminating 31st March 2029. The total maximum contract value of these contracts is PS32,281,338. There are 4 contracts being awarded to 2 providers as follows:- 1. SCPD for East Kent - Kent Community NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) 2. SCPD GA for East Kent - Kent Community NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) 3. SCPD for Medway and West Kent - Medway Community Health (MCH) 4. SCPD GA for Medway and West Kent - Medway Community Health (MCH)

Lot Information

SCPD for East Kent

This transparency notice serves as an intention to award the contract to the existing provider, using Direct Award Process C under PSR. SCPD services are available for children and adults with additional needs who are unable to have treatment at a general dental practice. It is a referral-only service, providing a range of dental treatments for children and adults with additional needs, including physical or learning disabilities, or where they have a need for additional support to receive treatment. Home visits are also provided for patients who are housebound. People are usually referred in via their dentist or doctor. The awarded contract for this Lot will be for a term of 36 months and is due to commence from 1st April 2026, terminating 31st March 2029. The total maximum value of the contract is PS18,514,522. A 36-month award is proposed - this will allow other providers the opportunity to express an interest to deliver services in the medium term. The existing service will not change, and the new contract will be based on current clinical standards.

SCPD GA for East Kent

This transparency notice serves as an intention to award the contract to the existing provider, using Direct Award Process C under PSR. SCPD services are available for children and adults with additional needs who are unable to have treatment at a general dental practice. It is a referral-only service, providing a range of dental treatments for children and adults with additional needs, including physical or learning disabilities, or where they have a need for additional support to receive treatment. Home visits are also provided for patients who are housebound. People are usually referred in via their dentist or doctor. The awarded contract for this Lot will be for a term of 36 months and is due to commence from 1st April 2026, terminating 31st March 2029. The total maximum value of the contract is PS1,445,813. A 36-month award is proposed - this will allow other providers the opportunity to express an interest to deliver services in the medium term. The existing service will not change, and the new contract will be based on current clinical standards.

SCPD for Medway and West Kent

This transparency notice serves as an intention to award the contract to the existing provider, using Direct Award Process C under PSR. SCPD services are available for children and adults with additional needs who are unable to have treatment at a general dental practice. It is a referral-only service, providing a range of dental treatments for children and adults with additional needs, including physical or learning disabilities, or where they have a need for additional support to receive treatment. Home visits are also provided for patients who are housebound. People are usually referred in via their dentist or doctor. The awarded contract for this Lot will be for a term of 36 months and is due to commence from 1st April 2026, terminating 31st March 2029. The total maximum value of the contract is PS8,548,049. A 36-month award is proposed - this will allow other providers the opportunity to express an interest to deliver services in the medium term. The existing service will not change, and the new contract will be based on current clinical standards.

SCPD GA for Medway and West Kent

This transparency notice serves as an intention to award the contract to the existing provider, using Direct Award Process C under PSR. SCPD services are available for children and adults with additional needs who are unable to have treatment at a general dental practice. It is a referral-only service, providing a range of dental treatments for children and adults with additional needs, including physical or learning disabilities, or where they have a need for additional support to receive treatment. Home visits are also provided for patients who are housebound. People are usually referred in via their dentist or doctor. The awarded contract for this Lot will be for a term of 36 months and is due to commence from 1st April 2026, terminating 31st March 2029. The total maximum value of the contract is PS3,772,954. A 36-month award is proposed - this will allow other providers the opportunity to express an interest to deliver services in the medium term. The existing service will not change, and the new contract will be based on current clinical standards.

Procurement Information

This is a Provider Selection Regime (PSR) intention to award notice. The awarding of this contract is subject to the Health Care Services (Provider Selection Regime) Regulations 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, the provisions of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 do not apply to this award. The publication of this notice marks the start of the standstill period. Representations by providers must be made to the relevant authority by 5th February 2026. This contract has not yet formally been awarded; this notice serves as an intention to award under the PSR.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060d58
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014985-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

85 - Health and social work services


CPV Codes

85131000 - Dental-practice services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£32,281,338 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Feb 20266 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
4 Dec 20258 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NHS Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) on behalf of NHS England
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
MAIDSTONE
Postcode
ME15 6NB
Postcode Area
Rochester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ45 Mid Kent
Delivery Location
TLJ4 Kent

Local Authority
Maidstone
Electoral Ward
High Street
Westminster Constituency
Maidstone and Malling

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

Kent Community NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT)

Medway Community Health (MCH)

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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