Abstract: An apparatus for the automatic processing of dental x-ray film having a horizontally disposed spiralling film processing chamber (14) such that fluid retaining tanks (16), (18), (20) and (22) are created by the lower portion of each spiralling revolution, the sidewalls (40) and (42) of the spiralling chamber having pairs of opposing arcuate film travelling grooves (44) and (45), a central shaft (32) rotates along the principle axis of the spiralling chamber (14) and film impellers (50), (52), (54), (56) and (60) are rotated by the shaft (32) for impelling film (43) along the grooves (44) and (45) through said spiralling chamber (14).