Alamy
For most kids, a trip to the dentist is a thing of dread. But there is no escaping the ordeal for Becca Graham – because her dad's a dentist.
And this week dad Callum Graham put his skills to the best possible use – by pulling out seven-year-old Becca's two front milk teeth to protect his daughter in the future.
Callum and mum Heather took the unusual decision to freeze and store their daughter's milk teeth so the youngster can take advantage of future medical advances in stem cell research.
Stem cells from bone marrow and umbilical cord blood have been used for decades to treat leukaemia and other blood-related diseases.
Callum said teeth are an 'incredible source' of stem cells. Researchers are studying how they could be used to treat a number of diseases and conditions including diabetes, spinal cord injuries, stroke and liver problems.
Becca had her two wobbly front teeth removed by her father at his Glasgow dental practice. The dental pulp from the milk teeth will be collected, frozen and stored for 30 years or more until needed.
Father-of-three Callum, from East Kilbride, said: "There's been an awful lot of research lately regarding stem cells and how to deliver them and use them to cure diseases, leukaemia, diabetes and cancers.
"We had been looking for a way to store stem cells when Rebecca was born. We'd heard all about it and thought it was a good idea.
"Although there's not a lot of treatments just now, we knew there was a future in it, in personalised bio-technology, where everybody cures themselves. It's a fabulous service to be able to offer your children.
"Becca was brilliant. We explained the relevance of it, why we were going to take her tooth and she was a brilliant wee patient.
"It's always a little bit nerve-wracking treating members of your family or your friends. You feel a great deal of empathy with them, as you do with all your patients, but more so with people you know."
Fortunately, Becca wasn't too bothered about having her teeth removed – because she received £5 from the Tooth Fairy!