EXCLUSIVE Girl, 9, meets horrific fate after going to dentist for routine surgery
A nine-year-old girl died after going to a San Diego dentist office for a routine surgery.
A nine-year-old girl died after going to a San Diego dentist office for a routine surgery.
Silvanna Moreno had dental surgery under anesthesia at Dreamtime Dentistry on March 18.
The third grader was transitioned to a recovery room afterwards and later discharged to her parents, according to the medical examiners office.
[Moreno] remained asleep during her transport home. Upon arrival, she stayed sleeping and was transitioned into her bed at home, said the medical examiner.
Family checked on her throughout the day to later find her unresponsive in bed and called 911 for emergency services assistance.
She was transported to Rady Childrens Hospital Emergency Department, where she was later pronounced dead.
It is not clear if the dental procedure played a role, and her cause and manner of death are pending investigation by the San Diego Police Department.
No further details on what procedure Moreno underwent before her death have been disclosed.
Morenos family has set up a GoFundMe to raise money to cover the funeral cost of their bright and joyful daughter.
Silvanna Moreno (pictured), 9, died after having dental surgery under anesthesia at Dreamtime Dentistry on March 18
Silvanna was a bright and loving third grader at Sherman Elementary School in San Diego, the fundraiser said.
She was the sunshine in every room she entered, always greeting staff and classmates with a big smile and an even bigger hug.
Her friends describe her as kind, caring, and always happy, a true friend to everyone she met. She was also an amazing big sister to Roberto, showing love and devotion every day.
Dreamtime Dentistry, led by Dr. Ryan Watkins, told Fox 5 that the girl was awake at the time of her release.
Following the procedure, she was discharged in stable condition—awake, with stable vital signs and protective reflexes intact—into her mothers care, following our standard post-anesthesia protocols, the dental office said.
At this time, the cause of death has not been determined. The medical examiner is conducting a thorough investigation, with which we are fully cooperating. We are committed to ensuring all facts come to light.
Dreamtime Dentistry said Moreno was referred to their office for the procedure because she had anxiety.
The patient was referred to our office for dental treatment under general anesthesia due to her young age and acute situational anxiety, Dreamtime Dentistry said.
Throughout the procedure, she was continuously monitored by our dentist anesthesiologist, who is a Diplomate of the National Dental Board of Anesthesiology as well as a Fellow in Anesthesiology from American Dental Society of Anesthesiology and active member of the American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists who has over 20 years of experience successfully administering general anesthesia on children, with no complications observed.
Dreamtime Dentistry (pictured), led by Dr. Ryan Watkins, said the girl was awake at the time of her release
According to the practice website, Watkins (pictured) is the only dentist listed who is trained in anesthesiology
According to the practice website, Watkins is the only dentist listed who is trained in anesthesiology.
Dreamtime Dentistry offered their condolences to Morenos family and said they are cooperating with investigators.
We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of our young patient, which occurred several hours after her completed dental procedure, the practice said.
We cannot discuss specific details due to privacy laws and the active investigation. We respectfully ask for patience as the medical examiner completes their work, as premature speculation may cause additional pain to the family.
The safety and well-being of our patients have always been and remain our highest priority.
NBC San Diego reported that the Dental Board of California previously investigated Watkins after a patient nearly died in 2016.
Investigators said the 54-year-old patient, who was put under anesthesia, was given two drugs, which led to the mans heart-stopping.
According to investigators, one of the drugs should have never been administered and Watkins was put on probation from 2020 to 2023. The man ended up filing a civil lawsuit against Watkins, which was later settled.