Sir, GDP colleagues working in the NHS will by now have received a statement from the DPB detailing the number of UDAs they must achieve if they choose to stay within the NHS. We have taken it on trust that the figures are accurate but at a recent meeting with our PCT, my practice colleagues commented that our UDA target seemed rather high. I was personally challenged by the PCT to go through all my treatment forms in the relevant test period (01/10/04–30/09/05) to see if there had actually been an error.

Perhaps they did not expect me to do so but I actually went through every submitted form in the test period and allocated 1, or 3 or 12 treatment UDAs according to the proposed guidelines. Imagine my surprise when I noted that the DPB had set my UDA target some 9% ABOVE the number of UDAs I actually 'earned' in the test period.

I raised this at a meeting with Lester Ellman and he informed us that this was not unusual and indeed, he knew of one dentist whose proposed UDA target was up by 20% on what he had actually 'earned'.

I have set an appeal in motion, but felt colleagues should not take their UDA figure on trust and advise them to check their proposed UDAs against what they actually earned in the test period. After all, if you have an unrealistic target and you sign up to it, not only will you be back on that treadmill with avengence, but you could find your salary being cut as a result of not making your unrealistic target.