Sir, regarding the letter Malteser compromise (BDJ 2012; 213: 197); although I empathise with the parent of the child who choked on the Malteser this is an anecdote that has no place in a professional journal.

To answer the question 'do we need to give additional warnings of choking hazard during the period of adaption to fixed braces?'; I would answer no and that we should all exercise a little more common sense.

Should the parent not have been present and serious harm had come of the child, would clinical records need to be investigated to determine whether such warnings were given?

Please, let's keep things in perspective.

1. Plymouth