In Helsinki, a controversy has arisen concerning the procurement of non-urgent dental care services after the health company Mehiläinen submitted an appeal against the city’s procurement decision made last autumn. The city initiated a competitive bidding process which concluded in October, receiving seven bids from various providers, including Mehiläinen, who finished third. This situation has led to disruptions in the planning and delivery of dental care services in the city, prompting Mehiläinen to formally challenge the city's process.

Mehiläinen's appeal requests that the city annul its procurement decision and discard the bid from Kotihammas, which was ranked second. Instead, Mehiläinen seeks to replace Kotihammas' proposal with their own bid in collaboration with Spider Med, the provider who ranked first. The dispute highlights the issues surrounding public procurement regulations and the competitive landscape for service providers in Finland, as it could set precedents for how future bids are evaluated and implemented.

The city of Helsinki is also required to notify all service providers that participated in the tender regarding the procurement review. This case underscores the complexities of public health service tenders in Finland, where competing health care companies must navigate strict statutory processes while maintaining accountability and quality in service delivery, ultimately influencing the options available to residents for dental care services in the area.