Understanding UDAs: How to Navigate the UK Dental UDA System (New Band 2 Changes)

UDAs, or Units of Dental Activity, are a fundamental aspect of the dental healthcare system in the UK. They form the basis of how dental services are contracted and paid for within the National Health Service (NHS). For dental professionals, understanding and tracking your UDAs are essential to ensure you are accurately compensated. For personal record-keeping, you can use software like Denota, which helps you manage and track your completed dental procedures. This article explores the key elements of the UDA system including the new changes.

What are UDAs?

UDAs are a measurement used by the NHS in England to quantify dental activity and remunerate dental practices. The concept was introduced as part of the 2006 NHS dental contract, with recent amendments in 2022. Essentially, each dental procedure is assigned a specific number of UDAs, which reflects the complexity and time required for that treatment.

How UDAs Work

Under the UDA system, dental practices enter into contracts with the NHS, committing to deliver a certain number of UDAs annually. Payments are made based on the number of UDAs delivered, and practices must ensure they meet their contracted UDA targets to receive full payment. Failure to meet targets can result in financial penalties or contract adjustments.

Understanding UDA Banding

UDAs are categorized into three bands based on the type and complexity of treatment:

  • Band 1: Basic examination, diagnosis, advice, and preventive services.
  • Band 2: Includes all Band 1 services plus fillings, root canals, and extractions.
  • Band 3: Includes all Band 1 and Band 2 services plus more complex procedures like crowns, dentures, and bridges.

New Band 2 Changes

The new UDA (Units of Dental Activity) system for Band 2 treatments, implemented on November 25, 2022, categorizes treatments into three sub-bands, each with different UDA values:

  1. Band 2a: This covers all Band 2 treatments not classified under Band 2b or Band 2c. It awards 3 UDAs.
  2. Band 2b: This category includes cases requiring the extraction or filling of three or more teeth or non-molar endodontic care to permanent teeth. It awards 5 UDAs.
  3. Band 2c: This covers molar endodontic care to permanent teeth and awards 7 UDAs​​.

These changes aim to better reflect the complexity and effort required for different types of dental treatments. For example, the treatment of molar endodontics, which is generally more complex and time-consuming, now earns more UDAs, thereby recognizing the increased effort involved.

Conclusion

As dental professionals, it's important to understand and monitor your (UDAs), both those you have completed and those recorded in your NHS Compass (NHSBSA) account. Keeping an accurate track of your UDAs ensures that all work is properly documented and that discrepancies between what you've done and what's processed are identified. For personal record-keeping, you can use software like Denota, which helps you manage and track your completed dental procedures. This practice helps maintain accurate records for compliance and financial purposes.

Author

Denota Team + AI Assistant

Dentists, start working smarter 🦷
Try Denota, free for 7 days
ai-powered dental notes

Detailed, accurate patient notes in under 15 seconds.

Watch the demo to see a real example procedure and the notes produced. 📽️

Try Denota, free for 7 days