I Was Right There Is A Test...

[cassa333]

....that can tell whether someone is a child or adult. Why would the dental association say it is unethical to do it if it is a legitimate test to do.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37700074

It isn't 100% accurate but there are other test that can also be done in conjunction.

[mikey4444]

Cassa...this is being discussed liv on Radio 4 at the moment.

The tests are useful to decide if someone is 20 or 40, but are useless to decide if someone is 14 or 18.

[ummmm]

Regardless of their age how do they chose who to let in? Who makes the decision?

[Gromit]

Er, except Dentists say it is not accurate.

[naomi24]

The spokesman from the British Dental Association explained the reasoning.

//it is both inappropriate and unethical to take radiographs of people when there is no health benefit for them," //

Personally, I think the benefits or otherwise to the country should override their ethics. This is not an intrusive procedure and it's one that I imagine any genuine young person wishing to come here would willingly undergo.

Mikey at 07:43, In that case the tests would be useful in determining those who are age 20-plus.

[Quizproquo]

"Personally, I think the benefits or otherwise to the country should override their ethics."

I find that phrase quite disturbing. I also think firing radiation at someone is intrusive.

[naomi24]

Quizproquo, you do? OK.

[EDDIE51]

The test can only tell if the persons teeth are a full 'adult' set with 'wisdom teeth'. Some people have that by age 12 or 14 some not until their 20's.
As Mikey says it can tell if someone is 30 or more, useless to say if someone is 14 or 19.
ummmm, those under 18 have automatic right of entry to the UK if they already have family members here. It does not have to be their parents just a relation.

[Quizproquo]

Yes naomi24 I do. I don't think anything should override ethics, certainly not Nationalism. If you do that's up to you. I find it disturbing.

[Gromit]

// 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 test doesn't work. Dentists say it doesn't. It will not be taken up as it is completely useless in determining a narrow age range. It can tell the difference between a 15 year old, and a 50 year old, but that is not the accuracy we need here.

[EDDIE51]

naomi as I explained some people do not develop the full adult teeth that the test checks for until their late 20's, so it is useless for the purpose of checking if someone is over 18.

[1ozzy]

Making mountains out of molar hills, again.

[naomi24]

Quizproquo, // I don't think anything should override ethics//

A big statement but ill-considered, in my opinion. Ethics are very noble, but not always practical. Ethically, we should accept all homeless refugees into this country – but that wouldn’t be at all practical – and we need to be practical.

EDDIE, by your reckoning I would never be considered an adult. I don’t have, and never have had, wisdom teeth.

Gromit, // 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. //

But, as I understand it, it can determine whether or not someone is age 20-plus.

[1ozzy]

//EDDIE, by your reckoning I would never be considered an adult. I don’t have, and never have had, wisdom teeth.//

Do you think it shows?

[ummmm]

My wisdom teeth are still growing and I'm in my 40's.

[1ozzy]

There is still time then Ummmm ;-)

[naomi24]

1ozzy, No, it doesn't show.

[naomi24]

Islay, don't be rude.

[youngmafbog]

Personally I don't think anyone should be allowed in, they are in a safe country; France.

And if we must take some then take those that are clearly under 12 and only then with papers (loosing papers is a scam used to disguise who/what you are and where you came from).

[1ozzy]

Rings a bell Islay
Spot on!