Purpose

To complement ongoing universal oral health
promotion initiative, an additional targeted service offering
tailored oral health promotion is required to support residents at
highest risk of poor oral health. Public Health are seeking to
further investment in this area and redesign the previous service
scope to maximize benefit to residents in Oldham with greatest oral
health need. This additional investment and evidence-based redesign
is expected to contribute to a reduction in health inequalities.
This provision will be commissioned through a competitive
process.

Content

RESOLVED - To approve an increase in Public
Health investment for targeted community oral health promotion
service from £5000 per annum to £9,999 per annum,
changing the current service design in line with best evidence and
to proceed to obtain three written quotations in line with Council
Procurement Rules, awarding to the most advantageous
bidder.

Reasons for the decision

Option 1 (preferred): To commission a targeted
and tailored oral health promotion service with increased
investment (£9,999 per annum) to establish and support oral
health champions/ buddies in communities at high risk of poor oral
health. This option is preferred as it is in line with the current
evidence base to effectively improve oral health in targeted
groups. Increased investment in targeted services will support the
reduction of health inequalities. In line with Council Procurement
Rules, three written quotations will be sought, awarding to the
most advantageous bidder.

Option 2 (not preferred):To continue with £5,000 per annum
investment into a targeted and tailored ‘direct to
families’ oral health promotion service in Oldham. This is
not preferred, as the preferred option better aligns with national
guidance and evidence-based policy for oral health promotion.
Additionally, continued investment at £5,000 per annum does
not reflect the increased public health investment into oral health
promotion or the substantial oral health inequalities in
Oldham.
Option 3 (not preferred): To cease investment in a targeted and
tailored oral health promotion service aimed at children and young
people in Oldham. This is not preferred as disinvestment will
likely exacerbate existing inequalities in oral health, including
dental decay in 5-year-olds.

Alternative options considered

Option 2 To continue with £5,000 per
annum investment into a targeted and tailored ‘direct to
families’ oral health promotion service in Oldham. This is
not preferred, as the preferred option better aligns with national
guidance and evidence-based policy for oral health promotion.
Additionally, continued investment at £5,000 per annum does
not reflect the increased public health investment into oral health
promotion or the substantial oral health inequalities in
Oldham.

Option 3 To cease investment in a targeted and tailored oral health
promotion service aimed at children and young people in Oldham.
This is not preferred as disinvestment will likely exacerbate
existing inequalities in oral health, including dental decay in
5-year-olds.