Tragic death of a 9-year-old girl after dental procedures under anesthesia
Published on March 31, 2025 at 7:40 AM PDT
Tragedy struck San Diego… The 9-year-old girl died several hours after undergoing dental surgery under general anesthesia.
She underwent surgery at Dreamtime Dentistry in Vista, California on March 18, according to NBC 7 San Diego and Fox 5 San Diego. She moved to the recovery room, was discharged from the hospital, and went to sleep as she returned to her car. She continued to sleep at home… Her parents said she wouldn’t respond in bed when she checked later.
She was rushed to Rady Children’s Hospital, where she was declared dead.
Dr. Ryan Watkins, a trained, dream-time dentist with anesthesiology training, expressed deep sadness over the tragic passage of the young girl hours after the dental surgery.
His statement said the girl was referred to Dreamtime Dentistry for dental treatment under general anesthesia due to her age and anxiety. She was closely monitored during the procedure by several experienced dentists and no complications were observed.
He added that when she was expelled into her mother’s care, she was in a stable state, awake, and her stable vital signs and protective reflexes remained intact.
The cause of death of the girl has not yet been determined, and an investigation by a medical inspector is underway. San Diego police are also investigating the death.
