Definition of the problem: An increasing number of young refugees whose ages are not reliably known is thrusting the problem of medical and dental age estimation via x‑ray examinations to the forefront of public discussion. Despite continual criticism of the organised German medical profession for this procedure and its associated radiation exposure for nonmedical purposes, x‑raying the carpal bone, the clavicle or the teeth to determine age remains common practice. Consequently, the official verification of asylum seekers’ ages has considerable ramifications since refugee minors have particular rights. Arguments: In previous discourse(s) about the proportionality of approximating the age of young asylum seekers via x‑rays, the relevance of the radiological examination of the wisdom teeth is indeed always referred to; however, the specific role of dentists is by comparison rarely discussed from a medical–ethical perspective. As a matter of fact, in 2001 and 2008 the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Zahn-, Mund- und Kieferheilkunde (DGZMK; English: German Association for Dentistry, Stomatology and Orthodontics) published scientific position papers in which the comprehensive radiological verification of the age of young refugees is endorsed – with the distinct omission of an ethical discussion. Conclusion: In light of these disparate findings, it should be investigated just how suitable, necessary and ethically appropriate dental procedures for the purposes of age determination are. The methodical foundations of this paper are (1) a comprehensive evaluation of available specialist literature, in addition to (2) a critical normative analysis of the main arguments presented by the named specialist society. Especially ethically discussing these position papers is a desideratum for ethics in dentistry. This discussion also serves as an opportunity to apply the international debate on age determination to Germany’s framework. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Age determination in refugee minors Professional ethos X-rays in dentistry Beneficence of patients Weighing up choices

doctor patient relation stomatology orthodontics dental age estimation Beneficence dental procedure molar tooth asylum seeker radiodiagnosis human ethics