Accidental death of 9-year-old San Diego girl during dental procedure

After a 9-year-old girl from San Diego passed away following a dental procedure, officials have recently provided further information about the incident. The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the death of Silvanna Moreno to be accidental. The girl tragically died due to complications arising from anesthesia, specifically methemoglobinemia following the administration of nitrous oxide. This rare blood disorder affects oxygen delivery by red blood cells, often resulting in blue or purple skin, lips, or nails in affected individuals. While the disorder can be inherited, it commonly occurs due to medication use, recreational drug consumption, or chemical exposure. Despite undergoing a three-hour dental procedure at Dreamtime Dentistry in Vista, Silvanna displayed no signs of distress or methemoglobinemia during the process. It was revealed that she had been under the care of an anesthesiologist and underwent standard preoperative evaluations. Dr. Ryan Watkins, the anesthesiologist at the office, expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss and assured ongoing efforts to enhance patient safety. The girl’s family discovered her unresponsive at home shortly after the procedure and promptly sought medical assistance, but unfortunately, Silvanna could not be revived. Watkins had faced scrutiny in the past, following an incident involving anesthesia administration resulting in a patient almost losing their life, leading to a probationary period and settlement of a subsequent lawsuit.