It might be thought that dentistry lessons would be far removed from global politics. However, a confrontation during the 5th annual Bahrain Course on Comprehensive Oral Implantology, May 13-15, showed that intolerance can make an appearance anywhere.

The first two days of the course passed without incident. Then on Saturday, during the break between classes, a woman attendee in the course asked a question of the distinguished instructor, professor Manuel Chanavaz. Chairman of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Implant Surgery at Lille University Medical School, Professor Chanavaz reached over and placed his hand on the woman's shoulder and told her that she should uncover her face so that he would know who she was before he answered her question.

The woman became angry. She stepped away from the professor and demanded to know why he thought he had the right to touch her or to comment on her veil? He then replied that if she would not uncover her face, he would not answer her question.

Distressed, the spurned attendee located one of the most senior dentists at the venue and related the conversation. His face became crimson and he quickly made his way over to professor Chanavaz. In front of all those milling about with their teacups, he berated the professor. "Where do you think you are?" he asked. "This is Bahrain not France."

The dentist then angrily informed the professor that although the French state had passed a law forbidding the niqab in public, and Muslim women in France were compelled to abide by this law or be fined, in Bahrain the situation was different. In Bahrain, Muslim women were permitted to dress in the way that they personally believed was best. Certainly as well, it was unacceptable for a man to place a hand on a woman without her consent. The rebuke ended with the professor being told that he could not force his opinions on others in Bahrain and that if he didn't like the situation, he should leave immediately.

Faced with losing a hefty fee, the professor stumbled through an apology. Before starting the next session he apologized once more to the assembled group. Shockingly, this is not Professor Chanavaz's first visit to the region and he is acquainted with the local culture and traditions of the GCC nations. For the future, Chanavaz would be well advised to concentrate on teaching, not preaching.