Nevid L Mark, DDS

I was referred to Dr. Cosden by a very satisfied patient of his, so I phoned Dr. Nevid’s office (which is where Dr. Cosden practices) to set an appointment with Dr. Cosden for a consultation and a second opinion on a dental issue my son was dealing with. The woman who answered the phone was pleasant enough but was relentless in bullying me into an appointment for some kind of full service with a cleaning, x-​rays, exam and the whole works, even though I clearly stated my intent for the appointment. Assuming (incorrectly) that we would at least meet the dentist prior to any of the procedures being done we kept the appointment.
When the appointment date finally came we showed up about 20 minutes early to fill out the paper work and see the dentist. The young lady sitting at the front desk (the first line of defense and the first impression in any office) was on the phone which appeared to be a personal call and gave us a smile-​less glance with no instruction.
About 4 minutes later a very pleasant young lady appeared from an examination room and asked for a name. I gave her my son’s name and she gathered the necessary paper work and explained what needed to be filled out. I took the paper work and explained why we were there and she excused herself.
About 3 minutes later a young lady in red scrubs approached me and without identifying herself by name said she was the person who made the original appointment. I explained to her that I had mentioned on the phone that I simply wanted to set up a consultation and get a second opinion from Dr. Cosden and she bullied me into the whole works appointment. I explained that I simply wanted to meet with Dr. Cosden for a consultation and was not interested in all the superfluous procedures. To which she said «those procedures are the gateway into this office» and that my son would see the dentist today after all the procedures had been completed. I was stunned that she expected me to subject my son to a cleaning, X-​rays and an examination without my even meeting the dentist first. How do I know if I like or trust someone without meeting them? She then proceeded to tell me that if I was adamant about just having a consultation that I could see the dentist for such a visit but that type of visit availability would be much further into the future. My response was thank you for your time but we’ll find a different dentist.
These two dentists may be excellent at what they do but the «Gateway Scam» prevented me and hopefully any other mindful person from entering this practice. While I was initially frustrated with the young lady in the red scrubs (I guess she is the gate keeper of the Gateway Scam), the policy clearly comes from someone with more authority than her which I can only guess would be the dentists.
It is beyond my belief that this type of scam is perpetrated on the unsuspecting people of Dutchess County, NY. and I will not only tell the person who referred me of my experience, but I will tell everyone else I come across that lives in Putnam and Dutchess counties.

Both my daughter and I are fairly new patients of Dr. Nevid (within the last year). His office staff is pleasant and competent. The office is nicely furnished and clean. No complaints there.
He however, is a different story. He barely conducted what I consider to be a comprehensive dental exam. You know the type, where the dentist actual SITS in his dental chair while thoroughly examing your teeth, instead of standing over you with a dental pick in hand, taps a few teeth and sends you on your way! He has repeated this behavior during the only two visits I’ve made to his office. He also dresses too casually to be working on someones mouth. I will be looking for a «new» dentist. The town of Pawling deserves a better dentist.
I want to compliment his oral hygenist, she was friendly and competent.

Great dentist for cowards! Go see him!

Dr Nevid is a great dentist. His office is nice, staff is nice and it’s always a pleasant experience. Me and the whole family are seen at Dr. Nevid’s office.