Vista, California — A routine dental visit turned into a devastating tragedy when a 9-year-old girl, Silvanna Moreno, died just hours after undergoing a dental procedure under general anesthesia at a Vista-based clinic.
Silvanna had visited Dreamtime Dentistry for a standard procedure requiring sedation. According to initial reports, the procedure lasted around three hours and was reportedly completed without complications. She was sent home in a stable condition. However, shortly after reaching home, she became unresponsive.
Her family immediately called emergency services. Despite efforts to revive her, she was declared dead at Rady Children’s Hospital later that evening.
An official report from the San Diego County Medical Examiner revealed the cause of death as methemoglobinemia, a rare and potentially fatal condition in which the blood cannot carry enough oxygen to body tissues. The condition can be triggered by certain anesthetics, including nitrous oxide, which was administered during her procedure.
What has added to public concern is the revelation that the anesthesiologist involved, Dr. Ryan Watkins, had previously faced disciplinary action in an unrelated case where a patient suffered cardiac arrest during a dental procedure. He had been placed on probation from 2020 to 2023.
Authorities, including the San Diego Police Department and the Medical Examiner’s office, are continuing their investigation into the incident. The dental clinic has expressed sorrow over the child’s death and said it is cooperating fully with the inquiry.
Medical professionals warn that while anesthesia-related complications are rare, children are particularly vulnerable. They urge parents to discuss all risks in advance and ensure appropriate post-procedure monitoring.
Silvanna’s death has sparked wider conversations about pediatric anesthesia safety and the protocols followed in non-hospital dental settings.
