Dental Prosthetic Services to Dental Health Services

Dental Health Services (DHS) requires the provision of dental prostheses and related services to Western Australian Dental Health Clinics.

The field of prosthetic dentistry is concerned with the rehabilitation of the oral cavity by using prosthetics such as single crowns, fixed bridgework as well as partial and full dentures. Prosthetics are manufactured using either acrylic substances or cast metal. The material used to construct a dental prosthetic is informed by the requirements of the patient (e.g. cost, permanency of the requirement, design). For this service, DHS will provide Contractor/s with impressions of patients’ mouths in the form of a mould. Upon receipt of the mould and the specifications detailing the individual requirements, the Contractor will manufacture the dental prosthetic(s).

The teeth used in the dental prosthetic(s) are to be purchased through the current contracted suppliers on the DHS’ Denture Teeth Contract (HCNS118413). It must be noted that Contractors will be advised of the details of contracted suppliers and contract details of HCNS118413 and will need to negotiate the pricing for teeth with the contracted suppliers on HCNS118413 as DHS contract prices cannot be transferred. DHS will determine the mould to be used and will supply the Contractor with details of the shades and moulds currently used. The Contractor will be given advanced notice for non-standard items.

The scope of the Contract covers the following categories:

1. Acrylic Prosthetics;
2. Crown and Bridge Prosthetics; and
3. Cast Metal Prosthetics.

Dental prosthetics are manufactured by dental technicians/prosthetists in specialised laboratories. The required prosthetic services will be utilised by DHS staff in such instances where the dental clinic is unable to complete the required prosthetic dentistry services on-site. Orders are sent to the contracted laboratory, which then designs and manufactures the dental prosthetic as per DHS’ instructions. Timeframes for specific orders will be agreed between the Contractor and DHS and will depend on the capacity of the Contractor at the time. Timeframes for urgent orders are to be agreed on a case-by-case basis. Interim stages of dental prosthetics and completed dental prosthetics are then collected by DHS courier/staff for delivery to the DHS clinic.

The Contract Authority reserves the right to award to one or more suppliers for each or all categories. The Head Agreement for this Contract will constitute a standing offer, whereby Customers can place Orders on an ‘as required’ basis during the Contract Term. However, Respondents should note that there is no guarantee of work volumes or turnover under the resultant Head Agreement. Generally, supply for dental prostheses is considered to be relatively constant with reduced demand over the holiday period for clinics based in the north of WA. However, the volume of work for the northern clinics is not large in relation to the whole of DHS.

Respondents should also note that the terms “goods” and “products” are used interchangeably throughout this Request document and related attachments.