Brooklyn Dentist Faces Charges of Lewdness

A dentist accused of exposing himself to a patient and then refusing to let her leave his Brooklyn office was arraigned in Brooklyn Criminal Court yesterday.

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The dentist, Dr. Neil Mate, was charged with third-degree sexual abuse, forcible touching, second-degree unlawful imprisonment, public lewdness and other counts, according to the Brooklyn district attorney’s office. He was released on his own recognizance.

Dr. Mate, of Manhasset, N.Y., was arrested after a woman told the police he had made inappropriate remarks and exposed himself during an appointment on Thursday evening. She said he prevented her from leaving the office, at 947 Manhattan Avenue in Greenpoint.

Dr. Mate did not enter a plea when he appeared before Judge Miriam R. Best, but Samuel Rieff, a lawyer representing him, said by telephone yesterday that his client “will prove his innocence.”

All the charges are misdemeanors, each punishable by up to a year in jail, said a spokesman for the district attorney.

According to his Web site, Dr. Mate graduated from the College of Dentistry at New York University. State records show that he was disciplined 10 years ago over accusations that he touched the breast and thigh of a female patient. The Office of the Professions, which is part of the State Education Department, fined him ,500 and put him on probation for two years.

A telephone message left for Dr. Mate yesterday was not returned. His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 3.