A shy teenager who suffered a six-year wait for dental treatment to fix his crooked teeth will finally see a consultant - thanks to the Oxford Mail.

The Mail revealed last week how Elliott Sanderson's mother feared her son was losing confidence and rarely smiled as a result of his overcrowded teeth.

After years of waiting for her son's treatment, she lobbied Prime Minister Tony Blair and her MP, but all to no avail.

It was only after the Mail reported their story that the Sandersons finally received a response. A letter arrived on Saturday, containing no less than TWO appointment dates.

Elliott, 16, of South Avenue, Abingdon, is set to see consultant Mary MacKnight at John Radcliffe Hospital's orthodontics clinic, on Thursday on ThursdayNovember 4, at 11.20pm.

Mrs Sanderson said: "I believe it's because of the Oxford Mail and the publicity we were given that we have an appointment. "If it had not been publicised I'm sure we would never have heard anything. More people ought to make a scene because it is the only way to get things done. We waited so long.

"I think this situation has been very bad for years at the John Radcliffe. It is terrible we had to go to the press before anything was done."

Elliott's dentist said he needed specialist treatment back in 1993. He was referred to an orthodontist, who then referred him to a specialist at the John Radcliffe Hospital, in 1994. Mrs Sanderson thought it would be a matter of weeks before her son's treatment could begin. Several years on, Elliott is still waiting. Now Mrs Sanderson hopes the second appointment on November 22 will be when the treatment starts. She said: "We can only hope.

"Elliott was not keen on the publicity, but he was relieved when the letter arrived."

A spokesman for the John Radcliffe said it could not comment on individual cases.

Story date: Tuesday 02 November

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