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Dentists condemn call for child migrants' teeth to be tested Dentists condemn call for child migrants' teeth to be tested
(about 2 hours later)
A Tory MP who called for child migrants arriving in the UK from Calais to have their teeth tested to verify their ages has been condemned by dentists.A Tory MP who called for child migrants arriving in the UK from Calais to have their teeth tested to verify their ages has been condemned by dentists.
A number of unaccompanied children from the "Jungle" camp have arrived to join relatives in the UK - amid suggestions they could be adults trying to get in.A number of unaccompanied children from the "Jungle" camp have arrived to join relatives in the UK - amid suggestions they could be adults trying to get in.
David Davies, MP for Monmouth, said mandatory teeth checks would reassure people the UK was not being exploited.David Davies, MP for Monmouth, said mandatory teeth checks would reassure people the UK was not being exploited.
But the British Dental Association said such checks would be unethical.But the British Dental Association said such checks would be unethical.
The BDA, which represents dentists and dental students in the UK, also disputed claims that dental radiographs can accurately determine whether someone is under the age of 18 or not.The BDA, which represents dentists and dental students in the UK, also disputed claims that dental radiographs can accurately determine whether someone is under the age of 18 or not.
The first children with links to Britain arrived this week, after French authorities ratified a list drawn up by the charity Citizens UK, which is working with the government to bring unaccompanied minors over from Calais.The first children with links to Britain arrived this week, after French authorities ratified a list drawn up by the charity Citizens UK, which is working with the government to bring unaccompanied minors over from Calais.
However, photographs of some of the children have been printed on the front pages of some national newspapers, along with headlines questioning their ages.However, photographs of some of the children have been printed on the front pages of some national newspapers, along with headlines questioning their ages.
Mr Davies, chairman of the Commons Welsh Affairs Select Committee, tweeted that the youngsters "don't look like children to me", adding: "I hope British hospitality is not being abused."Mr Davies, chairman of the Commons Welsh Affairs Select Committee, tweeted that the youngsters "don't look like children to me", adding: "I hope British hospitality is not being abused."
He told BBC Radio Wales that one of the migrants arriving had "lines around his eyes and looks older than I am".He told BBC Radio Wales that one of the migrants arriving had "lines around his eyes and looks older than I am".
He added: "If they are jumping on lorries, they are not going to be adverse to lying about their ages. We should do the tests."He added: "If they are jumping on lorries, they are not going to be adverse to lying about their ages. We should do the tests."
Age checks
Clinical tests are not used by the authorities to assess migrants' ages.
If they have no birth certificate, passport or other documentation, officials make an assessment of their age based on "physical appearance and demeanour".
But Home Office sources said children arriving from Calais would be subject to further age checks in the UK, Norman Smith, the BBC's assistant political editor said.
He said it was understood they will undergo further interviews about their background and their finger prints will be taken to cross check with other records which may contain their age details.
However sources added it was extremely unlikely any migrants found to be overage would then be returned to Calais as they would be able to claim asylum in the UK regardless of the age.
"We don't want to vilify anyone," he said. "But if we don't raise these questions we are not going to be able to help the people who need our help.""We don't want to vilify anyone," he said. "But if we don't raise these questions we are not going to be able to help the people who need our help."
Mr Davies said he would be tabling questions in Parliament asking how many migrant children have undergone dental checks and whether those who wish to come here in future will be subject to dental checks.
A BDA spokesman said it was "vigorously opposed" to the use of dental X-rays to try to determine the age of asylum seekers.A BDA spokesman said it was "vigorously opposed" to the use of dental X-rays to try to determine the age of asylum seekers.
"It's not only an inaccurate method for assessing age, but it is both inappropriate and unethical to take radiographs of people when there is no health benefit for them," he added."It's not only an inaccurate method for assessing age, but it is both inappropriate and unethical to take radiographs of people when there is no health benefit for them," he added.
"X-rays taken for a clinically justified reason must not be used for another purpose without the patient's informed consent, without coercion and in full knowledge of how the radiograph will be used and by whom.""X-rays taken for a clinically justified reason must not be used for another purpose without the patient's informed consent, without coercion and in full knowledge of how the radiograph will be used and by whom."
Doctors of the World UK called the idea "unethical and unnecessary" saying "healthcare workers are not border guards".Doctors of the World UK called the idea "unethical and unnecessary" saying "healthcare workers are not border guards".
The Home Office has said it works closely with French authorities to establish whether any children are eligible to come to the UK before they arrive.
Privacy and respect
A spokesman said the UK uses "a number of determining factors" to establish age.
Judith Dennis, policy manager for the Refugee Council, said she was concerned by media coverage questioning the appearance of those admitted to the UK on Monday.Judith Dennis, policy manager for the Refugee Council, said she was concerned by media coverage questioning the appearance of those admitted to the UK on Monday.
"It is not possible to judge how old someone is by looking at them, and most people understand that teenagers' appearances vary widely."It is not possible to judge how old someone is by looking at them, and most people understand that teenagers' appearances vary widely.
"The agencies involved in this exercise will have the safety of all children in mind and we would ask that the privacy of these vulnerable young people is respected.""The agencies involved in this exercise will have the safety of all children in mind and we would ask that the privacy of these vulnerable young people is respected."
French authorities have said they will close the Jungle camp - situated near the port of Calais, and close to the 31-mile Channel Tunnel - by the end of the year.French authorities have said they will close the Jungle camp - situated near the port of Calais, and close to the 31-mile Channel Tunnel - by the end of the year.
UK officials in Calais have been focusing initially on unaccompanied minors who have the right to join relatives in the UK under EU legislation, known as the Dublin regulation.UK officials in Calais have been focusing initially on unaccompanied minors who have the right to join relatives in the UK under EU legislation, known as the Dublin regulation.
Under the EU-wide regulation, asylum claims must be made in the first safe country a person reaches, but children can have their claim transferred to another country if they have family members living there.Under the EU-wide regulation, asylum claims must be made in the first safe country a person reaches, but children can have their claim transferred to another country if they have family members living there.
A separate registration process will take place for vulnerable children who do not have family in the UK.A separate registration process will take place for vulnerable children who do not have family in the UK.
UK law - known as the Dubs amendment - requires the government to arrange for the transfer to the UK and support of unaccompanied refugee children from Europe.UK law - known as the Dubs amendment - requires the government to arrange for the transfer to the UK and support of unaccompanied refugee children from Europe.