Sir, I read with interest the article in The Times (Friday 2 March) stating that dental X-rays were to be used to help determine the age of asylum seekers to prevent abuse of the system. Presumably, these X-rays will be administered by suitably qualified staff. I don't remember being taught this reason for justification during my studies. Would it not be easier for these same staff to merely 'eyeball' the individual's dentition to glean this information, thereby minimising the radiation dose to the subject? Cheaper also.

Editor-in-Chief's note: The BDA issued the following statement at the time of the proposal indicating its opposition to the use of radiation in this way:

'The BDA is vigorously opposed to the use of dental X-rays to determine whether asylum seekers have reached 18. This is an inaccurate method for assessing this age. We also believe that it is inappropriate and unethical to take radiographs of people when there is no health benefit for them.'