A Muslim dentist in Greater Manchester has been admonished by the General Dental Council (GDC) because he told a woman patient to wear “appropriate Islamic dress” – a headscarf – before he would treat her.
Omer Butt was found guilty of serious professional misconduct after a three-day disciplinary hearing, according to the Yorkshire Post.
Stewart Goulding, chairman of the GDC’s professional conduct committee, told Dr Butt his conduct had fallen short of the standard expected of a dentist in that he had not put the interests of the patient first on 18 April 2005.
The finding of serious professional misconduct came after the committee had earlier ruled that Dr Butt was guilty of telling the woman (known only as Patient or Ms A) words to the effect that, in order to receive treatment from him, she needed to wear appropriate Islamic dress.
Concluding the case, Mr Goulding said: “The effect of your actions on this occasion was to impede Patient A’s access to local dental services.”
He said Dr Butt had had no previous disciplinary hearings against him and that he had supplied testimonials from patients.
The Post article adds:
The dentist was found guilty of undermining public confidence in the dental profession by discriminating against Ms A, a non-practising Muslim, in seeking to impose an Islamic dress code on her in order for treatment to be provided by him.
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
