Silvanna Moreno, a 9-year-old San Diego resident, died March 18 after she underwent dental surgery under anesthesia at a Vista dental office.
VISTA, Calif. — Editor’s Note: This story previously reported: the 9-year-old hadn’t woken up by the time she was released and has been updated to say the 9-year-old female was later discharged from the facility and remained asleep during her transport home, according to the County of San Diego Medical Examiner.
According to a statement provided to CBS 8 by Dr. Ryan Watkins, a dentist anesthesiologist with Dreamtime Dentistry: 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.
A nine-year-old San Diego County girl died last week after complications from dental surgery, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office.
Silvanna Moreno, a San Diego resident, died March 18 after she underwent dental surgery under anesthesia at a Vista dental office.
According to the Medical Examiner, Moreno was taken to a recovery room after the surgery at 950 Vista Village Drive, the address for Dreamtime Dentistry. She was later discharged from the facility and remained asleep during her transport home, according to the County of San Diego Medical Examiner.
Her family took her to bed, but checked on her throughout the day. They later realized she was unresponsive and called 911.
Paramedics drove her to Rady Children’s Hospital and tried to perform life-saving measures on her. Rady’s Emergency Department employees also tried to save Moreno, but were unsuccessful.
She was pronounced dead just before 5:45 p.m.
A funeral was held Wednesday, March 26.
Late Saturday, March 29, CBS 8 received the following statement from Dr. Ryan Watkins, a dentist anesthesiologist with Dreamtime Dentistry regarding the death of their patient:
“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 due to her young age and acute situational anxiety. 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.
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.
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. While we understand the concerns and questions surrounding this tragic event, we respectfully ask for patience as the investigation proceeds. For the sake of the family and the integrity of the process, we encourage restraint regarding speculation.
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.
We will provide updates when appropriate.”
The cause of death is still under investigation.
San Diego Police are investigating.