9-year-old girl dies after dental procedure involving anaesthesia as dentist speaks out

A nine-year-old girl tragically passed away a matter of hours after having undergone treatment at a dentist in California.

The schoolgirl was administered anesthesia at Dreamtime Dentistry, in Vista - a city 45 minutes drive north of San Diego and 2 hours south of Los Angeles.

Following the dental surgery, she felt drowsy, and was relocated to a 'recovery room' on March 18.

A medical examiner's summary report states that after she was discharged, she fell asleep in the car on the ride back, and remained asleep when they reached home.

When her family checked on her at a later stage, they found that she was unresponsive and so contacted emergency services.

A nine-year-old patient of Dreamtime Dentistry sadly passed away just hours after treatment (Google Maps)

Dr Ryan Watkins, who owns the practice, is the only dentist listed on Dreamtime Dentistry's website as someone who sedates patients at the clinic.

A representative of Watkins issued the following statement to San Diego's NBC7 on behalf of himself and the practice.

It read: "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."

The Vista-based practice has since closed, according to Google (Google Maps)

It went on to explain how the schoolgirl was 'continuously monitored' by a veteran dentist anesthesiologist who observed 'no complications'.

The statement continued: "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.

Dr Ryan Watkins is listed on Dreamtime Dentistry's website as the only person who carries out sedation procedures (Google Maps)

"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."

Adding that it could not comment on an active investigation, as well as stressing that the 'safety and well-being of our patients have always been and remain our highest priority'.

It 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."

UNILAD has contacted Dreamtime Dentistry for comment.