Sir, I just wanted to offer my congratulations on the antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) toolkit provided, which is excellent except for one main issue that I think needs discussing: UDAs and opening up a tooth! Let's face it most GDPs are NHS and have to work according to the UDA system. So let's think about an average day of nearly 40 patients and an extra with raging toothache on a lower molar. Are you seriously expecting GDPs to dress the tooth which may take approximately 20 minutes for a measly 1.2 urgent band UDAs, run behind schedule and get a mouthful from their patients who were kept waiting?

If they then go on to provide endodontics they can only claim two more UDAs, so it's a complete loss making activity. When will you lot at the BDA get real and actually start telling the truth that the system prevents dressing a tooth and creates antibiotic prescribing? I laughed so much when I read your editorial in the BDJ regarding a pat on the back for dentistry, which I think is complete rubbish.1 Why don't you fight for the GDP? Don't try and make it harder and more of a business loss. Stick up for them and fight for them. The remuneration for opening up a tooth is daylight robbery and disgraceful. You didn't mention the inadequate UDA system at all and I'm surprised that you didn't.

You'll now say you were just highlighting the toolkit blah blah blah and it's not in your remit to talk funding but until you guys start getting nitty gritty none of you will ever have any guts in my opinion.