My 7yo daughter was referred by NHS to be assessed (x-ray & exam by child specialist) for treatment of 6 (4 upper abutting molars – 2 each side and 2 lower molars – 1 each side) teeth. At the first appointment she was seen after a 45 minute wait after her appointment time but after a 5minute exam she was given a re-appointment for x-rays. At the x-ray appointment, she was again examined and we were told to have ALL the teeth out prior to x-ray, then they said she could not be x-rayed because the film was too big. Again we were told to have the teeth out, as the only option was “harmful, high dose” (their words) whole head x-ray scanning. We asked to have the scan to see what the teeth were like (fillable or not – our dentist had indicated at least the lowers were fillable) and finally they got an appointment with another clinic to do the scan.

Afterwards we found out that other child size xray films are available (3-8y.o.) but were not used (ones used were about 2.5.-3cm (+tab) in height and 4cm or so wide, about the same size as those used on myself.

Do you understand what is happening and is this unusual?

Naturally, we are concerned, they seem to be pushing for general anesthetic and wholesale removal without considering ANY xray evidence. These teeth were all ok 10 months ago.