Dentist not laughing after misusing gas

HASTINGS, Mich. (WOOD) - A West Michigan dentist is facing numerous charges after police say he used nitrous oxide in his office with non-patients.

Christopher Tomczyk, 45, from Hastings turned himself in to authorities on July 4.

He has been arraigned on two felony counts of intentionally falsifying/altering medical records, one misdemeanor charge of prohibited use of chemical agents and one misdemeanor charge of distributing nitrous oxide.

Police said in a news release they began investigating Jan. 29 when several juveniles allegedly went to Tomczyk's office, 220 W. Colfax St., which was closed at the time, and used the anesthetic known as laughing gas before committing an assault.

Tomczyk is also accused of tweaking the records that keep an eye on the use of the nitrous oxide.