VAN NUYS : Dentist Denies Sex Attacks on Women

Taking the witness stand Tuesday to defend himself against charges of rape and sexual battery, a Reseda dentist contradicted earlier testimony given by two alleged victims and strongly denied attacking them in his office.

Dr. Kamal Matian, 46, faces five felony sexual assault counts in Van Nuys Superior Court. If convicted of the charges leveled by a 19-year-old former employee and a 38-year-old woman, he could be sentenced to more than 17 years in state prison.

The dentist said that one witness, a former employee who testified that in September, 1992, Matian held her down and raped her with his finger, falsely accused him after a fight over money.

Another woman previously testified that she went to the dental office because she was suffering severe tooth pain and that Matian held her down and fondled her breasts.

The woman said the incident occurred in February, 1992, but she waited about one year to file a complaint with the police because she feared that she would not be believed.

Matian denied attacking her. He testified that when she appeared in his office in November, 1992--not nine months earlier as she claimed--he refused to treat her because she asked for a narcotic pain reliever. The woman has admitted to trying to obtain narcotics from dentists.