A Brighouse dentist who was cleared of sexually assaulting a teenage patient will learn next week if he can return to work.

Health chiefs at Calderdale Primary Care Trust have met to discuss Muzzafar Zaman's professional conduct.

During the course of a ten-day trial, it emerged that Dr Zaman gave the 16-year-old girl gas

and air without a third person present and without written consent.

The 40-year-old was alleged to have groped a teenage girl's chest while she was in his

chair under the influence of gas and air.

But the jury decided he was not guilty of sexual assault.

But he could face having his licence revoked. The trust are to take advice from the General Dental Council regarding its guidelines on administering nitrous oxide.

Dr Zaman had been running Brighouse Dental Practice until he was suspended a year ago by the PCT pending the outcome of the charges.

Now the trust'' reference committee of four people are to meet again next week to consider Dr Zaman's future with

the NHS.

A spokesman for the trust said: "Dr Zaman continues to be suspended while the trust decides what should be done.

"We have three choices depending on the outcome. These are to remove him from our list which means he cannot practise within the NHS in Calderdale, or to remove his suspension and let him go back to work.

"Finally, we could allow him to work but with conditions in place."

She said this was the first

time the trust had needed to consider sacking a dentist in this way since it was set up three years ago.

When Dr Zaman, of Savile Park, Halifax, was first suspended by the PCT a year ago he also agreed not to practise privately either until the end of the court case.

A locum has been working there in his place since.

The General Dental Council has also confirmed Dr Zaman will face a professional conduct inquiry.

He could be struck off or suspended if the GDC believes he has committed serious professional misconduct.

A spokesman said she was aware that he had been found not guilty of sexual assault.

"We will consider the information that emerged from the trial, and consult the other relevant authorities to determine what action, if any, may be necessary under our procedures," she said.