HEALTH chiefs are to announce the fate of a Brighouse dentist this week.

Calderdale Primary Care Trust will say whether Dr Muzzafar Zaman can continue working at Brighouse Dental Practice.

The trust had suspended Dr Zaman, 40, last February, after a 16-year-old girl complained that he sexually assaulted her at his surgery on High Street.

She had gone to the surgery outside normal hours and Dr Zaman let her in and treated her.

She alleged that he touched her stomach, arms, breasts and lips after giving her gas and air.

Dr Zaman, of Savile Park in Halifax, denied the charge and was found not guilty at Bradford Crown Court in January.

But he did admit breaking General Dental Council guidelines by giving the girl gas and air without a third person being present and without gaining her written consent.

The trust's reference committee met last Wednesday, to decide what action should be taken over these breaches.

It is to give its decision this week.

It could ban Dr Zaman from working, allow him to return to work under conditions or allow him to return to work as normal.

Once the trust committee makes its decision public the General Dental Council will consider whether to take action against Dr Zaman.