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Dentist guilty in headscarf row Dentist guilty in headscarf row
(19 minutes later)
A dentist who told a female patient she must wear a Muslim headscarf to receive treatment has been found guilty of serious professional misconduct.A dentist who told a female patient she must wear a Muslim headscarf to receive treatment has been found guilty of serious professional misconduct.
The disciplinary hearing of the General Dental Council heard that Dr Omer Butt constructed a "tissue of lies" to protect himself. Dr Omer Butt was found guilty of discriminating against the woman, known as Ms A, by a disciplinary panel of the General Dental Council (GDC).
The patient said she was "humiliated and upset" after the encounter at the surgery in Bury, Greater Manchester.The patient said she was "humiliated and upset" after the encounter at the surgery in Bury, Greater Manchester.
Dr Butt could now have his licence to practise dentistry revoked. Dr Butt received an admonition at the end of the three-day GDC hearing.
The dentist denied the charges, but admitted he would ask Muslim women to cover up in accordance with Islamic law before he treated them and reducing fees to encourage patients to wear the headscarf. Stewart Goulding, chairman of the GDC professional conduct committee, told Dr Butt that his conduct had fallen short of the standard expected.
Dr Butt, of Prestwich, Greater Manchester, was found to have "undermined public confidence" in the dental profession by discriminating against the woman - named only as patient A, a non-practising Muslim - in April 2005. But he said the committee had noted testimonials from other patients in reaching their conclusion.
Giving evidence in his defence, Dr Butt said he "politely requested" the woman, a non-practising Muslim, to wear a headscarf.
Inside the surgery it's Dr Butt's world and his rules apply Dental nurseInside the surgery it's Dr Butt's world and his rules apply Dental nurse
He said: "The committee is satisfied that the appropriate decision is to conclude the case today with this admonition.
"As a member of a caring profession, a dentist has a responsibility to put the interests of patients first.
"The professional relationship between dentist and patient relies on trust and the assumption that a dentist will act in the best interests of the patient.
"The effect of your actions on this occasion was to impede patient A's access to local dental services."
The dentist had denied the charges, but admitted he would ask Muslim women to cover up in accordance with Islamic law before he treated them and reducing fees to encourage patients to wear the headscarf.
Dr Butt, of Prestwich, Greater Manchester, was found to have "undermined public confidence" in the dental profession by discriminating against the woman in April 2005.
No jewellery
Giving evidence in his defence, Dr Butt said he "politely requested" the woman, a non-practising Muslim, to wear a headscarf.
He said it was "unlawful" for him, as a Muslim, to look at a Muslim woman who was not properly covered up.He said it was "unlawful" for him, as a Muslim, to look at a Muslim woman who was not properly covered up.
The community nurse said Dr Butt told her she would have to find another dentist because she would not wear the headscarf. The patient, a community nurse who worked in Bury, said Dr Butt told her she would have to find another dentist because she would not wear the headscarf.
The hearing was told the dentist later quoted Islamic Sharia law on appropriate relationships between men and women.The hearing was told the dentist later quoted Islamic Sharia law on appropriate relationships between men and women.
Patient A said she was told by a dental nurse at the surgery: "Inside the surgery it's Dr Butt's world and his rules apply."Patient A said she was told by a dental nurse at the surgery: "Inside the surgery it's Dr Butt's world and his rules apply."
The patient, who worked in Bury, said she sought to register at the Unsworth Smile Clinic after the birth of her young child because it was nearer to her home. The patient said she sought to register at the Unsworth Smile Clinic after the birth of her young child because it was nearer to her home.
Further deliberations
She said she telephoned the clinic to make an appointment and was told they required Muslim women to wear the headscarf.She said she telephoned the clinic to make an appointment and was told they required Muslim women to wear the headscarf.
Muslim men attending the clinic could not wear gold jewellery, she was told.Muslim men attending the clinic could not wear gold jewellery, she was told.
The committee found Dr Butt not guilty of instructing his dental nurse to give Patient A her headscarf.
It was further found not proven that the dental nurse took the patient to another room, where she was given the nurse's headscarf to wear.
The committee is now deliberating in private on whether the facts that have been proven are sufficient to support a finding of serious professional misconduct which could lead to Dr Butt's licence being revoked.