A heartbreaking incident in Vista, California is raising serious questions about dental anesthesia safety. A 9-year-old girl died just hours after undergoing a routine dental procedure under general anesthesia at Dreamtime Dentistry, a pediatric dental clinic located in San Diego County.
What Happened?
The dental procedure took place on March 18, 2025. According to a statement from Dr. Ryan Watkins, the child was closely monitored by a dentist anesthesiologist during the treatment. Watkins claims the girl was awake and had stable vital signs when she was discharged and sent home with her mother.
However, a summary report from the San Diego County Medical Examiner tells a different story. It states the child remained asleep after her procedure, was placed in a recovery room, and was still asleep when she was taken home.
Once at home, her family continued to monitor her while she rested. Later that day, they found her unresponsive in bed and immediately called 911. She was rushed to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The cause and manner of death are currently under investigation.
A Past Investigation Into the Same Dentist
Dr. Watkins, the dentist involved in this case, has a history of issues involving anesthesia. In 2016, a 54-year-old patient nearly died after being administered an incorrect drug combination while under anesthesia. According to the Dental Board of California, one of the medications should never have been given to that patient.
Following that incident, Watkins was placed on probation from 2020 to 2023 and later settled a lawsuit filed by the patient.
Clinic Response and Ongoing Investigations
Watkins released a public statement expressing sorrow over the girl’s death, calling it a “tragic event” and stating the clinic is cooperating fully with the medical examiner and investigators.
He also added that the child had been referred for treatment under general anesthesia due to her young age and high anxiety related to dental care.
The San Diego Police Department is now involved, conducting an investigation alongside the Medical Examiner’s Office to determine exactly what went wrong.