What is the ruling on a male dentist working with a female dentist in the same clinic, and his treating the majority of female patients—despite the availability of more skilled female dentists—and what is the ruling on his looking at a woman's face when necessary, and what is the ruling on the money earned from that?

The fundamental principle is that the work of male doctors should be separate from that of female doctors: male doctors treat men, and female doctors treat women. However, it is permissible for a male doctor and a female doctor, who is a non-mahram, to work together in the same clinic if it is free from seclusion (khalwa) or suspicious mixing. It is permissible for a male doctor to treat women, and for a female doctor to treat men, in cases of necessity. In such cases of necessity, the doctor is permitted to look only at the area of need, and it is a condition that no specialized female doctor is available.

The Council of the Islamic Fiqh Academy has resolved that a specialized Muslim female doctor should examine a female patient first. If unavailable, then a trustworthy non-Muslim female doctor. If still unavailable, then a Muslim male doctor. If he is unavailable, then a non-Muslim male doctor, with the viewing restricted only to the extent of the necessity, and in the presence of a mahram, husband, or a trustworthy woman. The Academy recommends encouraging women to specialize in medicine.

Accordingly, a doctor should consider this in their work. If a specialized female doctor is available, then women should seek treatment from her. If a male doctor has no option but to treat women due to hospital regulations, there is no sin upon him, provided that he adheres to Islamic guidelines, ensuring there is no seclusion or lust, and that there is a necessity for the examination. The money earned from treating women is lawful (halal).