Dental age check plan for child asylum seekers dropped

It is expected that government amendments to the Nationality and Borders Bill will still give significant latitude to the Home Office to define in due course what constitutes ‘robust’ and ‘scientific methods’ of age assessment. On that basis the BDA will continue to seek amendments to the bill to rule out radiographic tests.

The BDA has vigorously opposed the use of dental X-rays to determine whether asylum seekers have reached the age of 18, stressing they are an inaccurate method for assessing age.

The BDA also believes that it is inappropriate and unethical to subject people to radiation when there is no health benefit for them. X-rays taken for a clinically justified reason must not be used for another purpose without the patient's informed consent and must be carried out without coercion and in full knowledge of how the radiograph will be used and by whom.

Chair of the British Dental Association, Eddie Crouch, said, “It’s welcome news that ministers appear to have ruled out dental checks on migrants that fail basic tests on accuracy and ethics.

“However, new laws will still give the government power to define what constitutes a ‘robust’ measure of age. Dentists do not want to see pseudoscience make a return via the back door.”