A DENTIST who asked women to wear Islamic headscarves must wait until July to discover if he still has a job.

Omer Butt, aged 32, of Sheepfoot Lane, Prestwich, put up signs at the Unsworth Smile Clinic in Parr Lane, requesting Muslim women cover their hair.

Last week, a General Dental Council disciplinary committee in London heard complaints from two people who said Butt refused to treat some of their relatives unless they wore headscarves.

Butt faces a charge of misconduct for his treatment of two patients. If he is found guilty, he faces being removed from the dental register.

He told the hearing he “recommended” patients wear headscarves as it made him more comfortable.

Butt said: “I never sought to impose any conditions on any patient. 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. The biggest thing as a dentist that I feel you can give a patient is trust and confidence.

“My feeling was I wanted people to know I am a Muslim. There are a lot of negative things associated with Muslims and I wanted to show a more of a positive side.”

In 2007, he was formally reprimanded for similar behaviour and found guilty of serious professional misconduct, but was allowed to keep his job.

Last Friday, chairman Gill Brown adjourned the tribunal until July 1.