A muslim dentist has been admonished by a disciplinary committee of the General Dental Council for demanding that a female (non-practicing) muslim patient wear a headscarf before receiving treatment, in a case dating back to April 2005.

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.

Dr Butt received an admonition at the end of the three-day GDC hearing.

Stewart Goulding, chairman of the GDC professional conduct committee, told Dr Butt that his conduct had fallen short of the standard expected.

But he said the committee had noted testimonials from other patients in reaching their conclusion.

He said: “The committee is satisfied that the appropriate decision is to conclude the case today with this admonition.

Butt claimed that it was unlawful (according to his own interpretation of sharia) to look at the patient, because she was a muslim woman and not covered. It is also recorded that Butt later quoted sharia dogma on how men and women should comport themselves.

A dental nurse at Butt’s surgery is reported to have told the patient inside the surgery it’s Dr Butt’s world and his rules apply.

Complete article over at the BBC

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