What was supposed to be a routine dental visit turned into a tragedy for 9-year-old Silvanna Moreno who died on March 18, 2025, a few hours after receiving dental procedure at Dreamtime Dentistry in Vista, California.
Now, more than two months after her tragic passing, the San Diego County Medical Examinerโs Office ruled her death an accident.
The cause of death was listed as โmethemoglobinemia in the setting of recent nitrous oxide administration.โ
MetHb happens when haemoglobin is impacted by nitrous oxide, which lowers oxygen transport to tissues and results in hypoxia, as explained by theย Cleveland Clinic.
AUTOPSY REPORT OUT
Authorities have revealed what caused the sudden death of 9-year-old Silvanna Moreno after a dental surgery. READ: https://t.co/53qkgYDkeu pic.twitter.com/mZjUqV01GS
— PhilSTAR L!fe (@philstarlife) May 30, 2025
It is an uncommon blood condition that affects the way red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body. At some people, it manifests with blue or purple lips, skin, or nails, while at others, it is asymptomatic.
According toย People,ย Silvanna had a fever and was given childrenโs Tylenol a day before the three-hour-long procedure.
The dentistโs officeย that treated the girl said she was a new patient referred to them for a root canal on a molar.
During the dental procedure in which the 9-year-old died, some baby teeth, as well as one permanent decayed tooth, were extracted.
According toย NBC News,ย Dr. Ryan Watkins, the officeโs trained anesthesiologist, said in a statement that โSilvanna was a healthy 9-year-old with a history of regular medical checkups.โ He added that she underwent the officeโs standard preoperative evaluation and was โan appropriate candidate for outpatient general anesthesiaโ
Silvanna Moreno, 9, dies after dental surgery under anesthesia at Dreamtime Dentistry on March 18. After being discharged and sleeping all the way home, she went to bed only to be found unresponsive later.https://t.co/lJLxvhGpq3 pic.twitter.com/9dLMbpF5fY
— Lipstick Alley (@lipstickalley) April 1, 2025
The Medical Examinerโs summary report stated that the girl was moved to a โrecovery roomโ following the procedure. It added that Silvannaโs mother told investigators her daughter was โout of it while intermittently opening her eyes and incomprehensibly mumbling.โ
On the way home, as well as when they arrived home, she was sleeping. Around half and hour later, her breathing slowed. They tried to wake her up, but when they failed to do so, they called 911.
Silvanna was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
โWe are profoundly saddened by the tragic loss of Silvanna Moreno, and our hearts continue to go out to her family during this incredibly difficult time,โ Watkins said.
In 2016, Watkins wasย investigatedย for the death of a 54-year-old man who nearly died while under general anaesthesia. It was determined at the time by the Dental Board of California that one of the drugs he received shouldnโt have been given to him in the first place because it caused his heart to stop.
Watkins was put on probation from 2020 to 2023, according to a decision order.
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