9-year-old girl in California dies after dental surgery under anesthesia

According to the County of San Diego Medical Examiner’s Office, a 9-year-old girl in California passed away following dental surgery while sedated.

In a press release, the medical examiner’s office stated that Silvanna Moreno’s procedure was performed on March 18 at a dentist office in Vista, including Dreamtime Dentistry’s address. She was taken to a recovery room after the procedure and then released.

Moreno “was discharged in stable condition — awake, with stable vital signs and protective reflexes intact — into her mother’s care,” according to a statement provided to CBS 8 San Diego by Dr. Ryan Watkins, a dentist anesthesiologist with Dreamtime Dentistry.

The medical examiner’s office, however, said she “remained asleep during her transport home” and “stayed sleeping” when she was put into her bed at home. The 9-year-old’s family checked on her throughout the day “to later find her unresponsive in bed,” according to the release.

Moreno’s family called 911 for help and first responders transported her to the Rady Children’s Hospital emergency department where she was later pronounced dead.

The medical examiner’s office did not immediately respond when asked to clarify Moreno’s condition when she was discharged.

The young girl’s cause of death is still under investigation. Watkins said the dentist office was fully cooperating with the investigation.

“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,” Watkins said. “For the sake of the family and the integrity of the process, we encourage restraint regarding speculation.”