A Brighouse dentist cleared of groping a teenage patient acted unprofessionally towards her, the General Dental Council has been told.

Muzzafar Zaman, 41, admitted sedating the 16-year-old without a dental nurse or other member of staff present.

He also did not keep proper records of the after-hours visit to his practice in February 2005.

The claims spring from a trial at Bradford Crown Court in January last year when Dr Zaman was cleared of sexually assaulting the youngster. She claimed he touched her breast.

Dr Zaman, who is also accused of a series of health and safety breaches which left patients and staff at risk of cross-infection, denies serious professional misconduct.

John Snell, for the GDC, told the council's professional conduct committee in central London: "Dr Zaman admitted that he did not obtain written consent, ensure that he was assisted by a secondappropriately-trained person or keep sufficient records.

"There were no records at all and there should have been a proper record."

This was a breach of guidance and "appropriate general standards", Mr Snell said.

Dr Zaman claims he was "surprised" when the teenager arrived at his practice without a booking.

Mr Snell said: "He knew he could not do any treatment in the absence of a dental nurse but did not want to turn her away but decided to examine her and talk about her treatment.

"It occurred to him that Patient A was a nervous patient and she might be helped in future by inhalation sedation."He proposed a short trial run, she agreed and Dr Zaman did an inhalation procedure on her at the time."

Inspections carried out by the North Kirklees Primary Care Trust in October and December 2002 and in February and March 2005 triggered safety concerns, the committee heard.

The hearing continues.