Tragic accident claims life of 9-year-old girl in San Diego after dental procedure

Officials have recently disclosed new information about the tragic death of a 9-year-old girl in San Diego after a dental procedure. The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office has determined that Silvanna Moreno's death was accidental, citing methemoglobinemia resulting from recent nitrous oxide administration as the cause. Methemoglobinemia is a rare blood disorder affecting oxygen delivery by red blood cells, and while symptoms are not always present, visible signs like blue or purple skin, lips, or nails may appear. While this disorder can be inherited, it is often triggered by certain medications, recreational drugs, or chemical exposure. The incident occurred during a dental procedure at Dreamtime Dentistry in Vista, where Dr. Ryan Watkins, the trained anesthesiologist, explained that the unfortunate situation was unforeseen as Silvanna showed no alarming signs during the three-hour procedure. Dr. Watkins emphasized that had they detected any indication of methemoglobinemia, they would have halted the procedure immediately and sought emergency care. Silvanna's family discovered her unresponsive at home after she fell asleep during the car ride following the dental appointment and later called 911. Sadly, she was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. Dr. Watkins expressed deep sorrow over the loss and is committed to reviewing the case internally and seeking expert advice to enhance patient safety. He had previously faced scrutiny by the Dental Board of California due to a separate incident in 2016, where a patient nearly died as a result of anesthesia complications.