Dental Access Programme (DAP)
The Department of Health has set up a national dental access programme providing support for PCTs to commission NHS dental services.
The 2009/10 NHS Operating Framework identifies improving access to NHS dentistry as a national priority, and directs PCTs to commission services with the aim of securing access for all who seek it.
All ten Strategic Health Authorities have set themselves the aim of achieving this by March 2011 at the latest, and this is reflected in the NHS Constitution Handbook.
Wolverhampton City PCT will undertake a fair, open and transparent procurement process as part of it’s commitment to achieve access to NHS dentistry services for all those who are actively seeking it. The Wolverhampton City PCT Procurement process will be supported by the Department of Health’s Dental Access Programme PCT Procurement Framework – which provides template procurement and contract documentation, commercial guidance and technical support.
Potential Bidders are also recommended to familiarise themselves with the Dental Access Programme PCT Procurement Framework for a further understanding of background information, process and template contract requirements at www.dentalaccess.nhs.uk and also the PCT's Dental Oral Health Strategy - Improving Oral Health in Wolverhampton.
