License still active for oral surgeon who has bonded out after arrest on sexual assault charges

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - The North Carolina Dental Board of Examiners says it is looking into charges against 55-year-old Michael Hasson, an oral surgeon charged last week with sexually abusing at least four female patients while they were under anesthesia.

Hasson works at Wilmington Oral Surgery and has run the practice for 22 years. As of Monday morning, his license remains in good standing, according to the dental board website.

“We are just learning about this through the news media. This is our biggest priority and (we) plan to act as quickly as possible," said Bobby White, CEO and legal counsel for the dental board.

White said the board has two investigators who focus on complaints and charges against dentists and oral surgeons. He did not state an exact time frame for when an investigation will start.

When the investigation begins, the board plans to speak to Hasson and the complainants in the case.

As of Monday, White said the board has not suspended Hasson’s license. WECT called Hasson’s office, where a voicemail said, “Our office is temporarily closed.”

Arrest warrants for Hasson described the alleged sexual assaults involving a 19-year-old on Oct. 6, 2017, a 21-year-old on June 26, 2018, a 17-year-old in July 2018, and a 22-year-old on July 10, 2018. According to the warrants, all four victims were “physically helpless” at the time.

Hasson was in the New Hanover County Jail under a $600,000 bond, but he bonded out sometime Monday, according to a jail employee who was reached by phone Monday night. Hasson is allowed to continue practicing surgical medicine as long as his license is valid, but he is not allowed to be alone with patients.

Wilmington police say the investigation is ongoing.

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