The family of a five-year-old boy who had to have 13 milk teeth removed has accepted a £9,000 settlement from his dentist.

Cameron Jackson had to have the decayed teeth removed when he was just three, leaving him with just seven teeth until his adult set grow through.

Cameron’s mother, Wendy Jackson, took legal action against his dentist, Dr Raymond Matloa, of Fountain Dental Practice in Morley.

They have now reached an out-of-court settlement and Cameron will receive the money when he reaches his 18th birthday.

Although Mrs Jackson claims the decay should have been spotted earlier, Dr Matloa has not admitted liability for the loss of Cameron’s teeth.

Mrs Jackson, of Harry Street, Bradford, said she had grown increasingly concerned about Cameron’s teeth. She said she had always taken him for check-ups and brushed his teeth.

She said Cameron’s toothache became increasingly painful.

“He was on pain relief every night because he would wake up screaming in the night,” she said.

In 2010, he had the teeth removed at a dental institute in Leeds. Mrs Jackson said Cameron, who goes to St John’s school in Bierley, could not remember the operation but was now very self-conscious about his appearance.

She said: “He doesn’t like smiling because he’s scared that somebody’s going to say ‘Why have you got no teeth?’”

Mrs Jackson, 31, said he had now adapted to eating without his teeth – and even bit into apples with his gums. She said she had explained the settlement to her son by saying it was like a visit from the tooth fairy.

She said: “I’m glad that this is settled and we can begin to move on. Cameron’s doing really well and being very brave about the whole thing, which we’re very grateful for.”

The family’s lawyer, Heather Williams, from dental negligence solicitors the Dental Law Partnership, said: “Although it is baby teeth that Cameron has lost, it will still be a few years before his adult teeth come through.

“In the meantime, he has to deal with having fewer teeth than he should – something that no one would like to go through, especially at his age.”

Dr Matloa was contacted by the Telegraph & Argus, but declined to comment.