A young girl aged nine sadly lost her life just hours after receiving dental care at a clinic in California. The child was put under anesthesia at Dreamtime Dentistry, located in Vista, a city positioned about 45 minutes from San Diego and two hours from Los Angeles.
After the dental procedure, she experienced drowsiness and was moved to a ‘recovery room’ on March 18. According to a report from the medical examiner, she fell asleep during the car ride home and continued to sleep once they arrived.
Later, her family discovered she was unresponsive and immediately contacted emergency services.
Dr. Ryan Watkins, the owner of the practice, is the sole dentist listed on Dreamtime Dentistry’s website as someone who administers sedation to patients.
A spokesperson for Dr. Watkins provided a statement to San Diego’s NBC7 on behalf of him and the dental office.
The statement expressed: “We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of our young patient, which occurred several hours after her completed dental procedure.”
“The patient was referred to our office for dental treatment under general anesthesia because of her young age and intense situational anxiety.”
The statement also highlighted that the girl was ‘continuously monitored’ by an experienced dentist anesthesiologist who noted ‘no complications.’
It further explained: “Following the procedure, she was discharged in stable condition—awake, with stable vital signs and protective reflexes intact—into her mother’s care, following our standard post-anesthesia protocols.”
“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.”
They also emphasized that they couldn’t comment on an ongoing investigation and reiterated their commitment to the ‘safety and well-being of our patients,’ which have always been their primary concern.
The statement concluded: “Our hearts break for the family during this unimaginable time of grief, and we extend our deepest condolences as we maintain our focus on supporting the family and cooperating fully with the medical investigation.”