Free calculator · UK 2026/27 rates
UDA Value Calculator
Enter your annual UDA volume, contract value, the year your contract was last signed or restructured, and your region. The calculator shows your effective UDA rate, how it compares to current benchmarks, and the real value after adjusting for inflation since signing.
UDA Value Calculator
Enter your annual UDA volume, contract value, the year your contract was last signed or restructured, and your region. The calculator shows your effective UDA rate, how it compares to current benchmarks, and the real value after adjusting for inflation since signing.
Effective UDA value = contract value divided by UDA volume. Benchmark ranges are 2026/27 indicative; actual rates vary by commissioner and individual contract. Real value uses a 2.5% annual CPI proxy — actual UK CPI has been higher in some years.
Sense-check your figure with a specialist dental accountant
Calculators give you a solid starting point, but the final number depends on your NHS Pension status, prior-year reliefs, and how different taxes interact in your specific structure. A short conversation with a dental-specialist accountant puts a firm figure on it, with no obligation.
Get the full NHS contracts and pensions model and guide
Get the UDA value model
Your effective value per UDA, against the regional benchmark, with the real-terms erosion since your contract was signed.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Your figures (edit the blue cells) | ||||||||||
| 2 | Region | England | |||||||||
| 3 | Annual UDA target | 12,000 | |||||||||
| 4 | Annual contract value | £336,000 | |||||||||
| 5 | Your UDA value | ||||||||||
| 6 | Effective UDA value | £28.00 | |||||||||
| 7 | Regional benchmark | £25 to £35 (within) | |||||||||
| 8 | Real value today (2026 pounds) | £23.56 | |||||||||
| 9 | £28.00 per UDA, within the £25 to £35 England benchmark | ||||||||||
| 10 | |||||||||||
| 11 | |||||||||||
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How the UDA value calculation works
Your effective UDA value is simply your annual contract value divided by your annual UDA volume. This is the most useful number for comparing across practices and contract years, because the headline UDA numbers vary widely by region and year of signing.
The real value calculation adjusts your effective UDA rate back to current prices using a 2.5% annual CPI proxy. If your contract was signed in 2010, the real purchasing power of each UDA pound has fallen by roughly 48 percent by 2026 at 2.5% annually.
The benchmark ranges show the typical 2026/27 NHS dental UDA rates in your region. Being below the benchmark indicates your contract may be undervalued relative to current new contracts in your area.
Worked example: a practice in England holds a GDS contract for 3,000 UDAs signed in 2010 with an annual contract value of £90,000. The effective UDA rate is £90,000 divided by 3,000, giving £30.00 per UDA, which sits within the 2026/27 England benchmark range of £25 to £35. Adjusting for 16 years of 2.5% CPI proxy gives a cumulative inflation factor of 48.5%, so the real purchasing power of that £30.00 is only £20.21 in 2010 money, a reminder that even a within-range contract has lost significant real value since signing.
Frequently asked
- What is a UDA in NHS dentistry?
- A Unit of Dental Activity (UDA) is the unit by which NHS England and NHS Wales measure and pay for NHS dental treatment. A Band 1 course of treatment is worth 1 UDA, Band 2 is 3 UDAs, and Band 3 is 12 UDAs. Your practice's GDS or PDS contract specifies the total number of UDAs you must complete each year and the amount NHS pays for each one.
- Why is my effective UDA value lower than other practices?
- Effective UDA values vary because NHS dental contracts were negotiated at different times and under different local commissioning arrangements. Practices that signed their contract in the early 2000s often have lower effective UDA values than those that renegotiated more recently, and values vary significantly by region even for contemporaneous contracts.
- Can I renegotiate my NHS contract value?
- NHS contract renegotiations are possible in some circumstances, particularly if your practice has undergone significant growth or change in mix, or if local commissioning priorities have shifted. Contractual changes require engagement with your NHS regional team. An accountant who specialises in dental practices can help you understand whether a renegotiation case is viable.
Get the full picture
Every figure here is modelled on standard 2026/27 thresholds. Your actual position depends on your NHS Pension status, prior-year usage, other income, and how decisions interact. Take the free practice health check to get a personalised view.