This just bothers me, mainly because the real child assaults in dental offices go unpublished and unpunished!
Bassett, 63, operates a dental practice at 32 Stiles Road. He was charged with one count of simple assault and released on $1,000 personal recognizance.
According to police, they received a report on May 18 at about 2:15 p.m. from a a mother that her 8-year-old son was touching some glass jars on a counter that held dentistry equipment during a follow-up appointment at Bassett's office.
Police said the boy opened the lid to one of the jars and started pulling out gauze.
According to the child's mother, Bassett yelled, "We don't do that here!" and slapped the boy on the back with an open hand.
Immediately, police said the mother grabbed her son and left the office. Outside, she found a large, red welt and the shape of a hand on his back. Police said they photographed the injury and returned home.
Salem detectives conducted a follow-up investigation and determined an assault had taken place. An arrest warrant was issued, charging Bassett with a Class A misdemeanor.