Dentist spared ban in headscarf saga (From Prestwich and Whitefield Guide)

Dentist spared ban in headscarf saga

8:00am Thursday 9th July 2009

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A DENTIST who ordered female patients to wear headscarves has escaped being banned from practising for a third time.

Omer Butt, of Sheepfoot Lane, Prestwich, had already appeared twice before dental watchdogs.

Last Friday, General Dental Council (GDC) chairman Gill Brown ruled Butt could keep his job at the Unsworth Smile Clinic in Parr Lane because the last incident took place in 2007 and there has since been no repeat.

Ms Brown said: “The committee is in no doubt that it amounted to misconduct.

“However, it has taken into account the passage of time since the events and the fact there has been no repetition of this behaviour since then.

“Further, it is not likely that you will now repeat it. Accordingly, the committee has concluded that your fitness to practise is not impaired.”

The saga began in early 2007 when a female patient alleged Butt refused to treat her unless she wore a headscarf. He appeared before the GDC that September and was found guilty of serious professional misconduct and formally reprimanded.

Four months later, Butt was back before the GDC — this time for failing to declare driving convictions to his employer.

He did not say on an application form he was due to stand trial for dangerous driving.

Butt was cleared of behaving dishonestly, but was found guilty of misleading health authority bosses.

The dentist received his second official reprimand, but kept his job.

He can now continue his career as a dentist.

During the hearing, Mr Butt said: He said: “I never sought to impose any conditions on any patient. There was no such policy (to make women wear headscarves).

“It was a simple request or recommendation I would give to patients that would help me feel more comfortable on a holistic level with the patients.”

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