A 9-year-old girl from California tragically died shortly after undergoing dental surgery with anesthesia. Following the procedure at Dreamtime Dentistry, she seemed fine but became unresponsive during her car ride home. Despite swift medical attention at Rady Children's Hospital, she was pronounced dead. The medical examiner is investigating the cause of death, with experts cautioning against premature conclusions about the role of anesthesia. Pediatric anesthesia is riskier than in adults, and the dentist involved, Dr. Ryan Watkins, has a history of previous patient safety concerns.
When a child goes to sleep with general anesthesia, it’s a much more riskier procedure than with an adult," retired dentist Dr. Michael Davis told NBC San Diego.
Experts warned that it’s too soon to jump to conclusions, but also noted the inherent risks that come with procedures that require sedation, especially for children.
Dr. Ryan Watkins, the only dentist at the practice who performs sedation procedures, was previously investigated by the Dental Board of California in 2016 after an adult patient nearly died.
Children require lower dosages of medications like anesthesia because of factors ranging from their size to their metabolic rate.
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