Little girl goes to dentist and never wakes up family left with heartbreaking questions
A nine-year-old girl named Silvanna Moreno sadly passed away after a visit to the dentist. She died on March 18, 2024. Silvanna went to Dreamtime Dentistry in Vista, California, because her tooth hurt. The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office shared this news. Silvanna’s story is very sad, and many people want to understand what happened.
Silvanna’s Visit to the Dentist
Silvanna first told her family about her tooth pain in October 2024. Her family took her to see the dentist. After talking with the dentist, they decided Silvanna needed surgery to fix her tooth. Dreamtime Dentistry said that their dentist, Dr. Ryan Watkins, was the one who cared for Silvanna. He explained why they chose to use general anesthesia. “The patient was referred to our office for dental treatment under general anesthesia due to her young age and acute situational anxiety,” said Dr. Watkins.
Sometimes, children feel very nervous when they go to the dentist. Silvanna was one of those kids. She felt scared and worried about the dental work. The dentist thought it would be better to help her sleep during the surgery. That way, she would not feel scared or in pain while her tooth was fixed.
Before the dental surgery, Silvanna told her family she had a headache. She also had a fever of 101 degrees. This means her body was warmer than normal. Even though she felt sick, the surgery still happened that day.
The dentist’s office said that Silvanna’s mother filled out a form before the surgery. She answered “No” when asked if Silvanna was sick. A spokesperson for Dreamtime Dentistry shared, “Dreamtime Dentistry’s records show that the patient’s mother completed and signed a pre-operative check-in form indicating ‘No’ when asked if the patient was sick.”
What Happened After Surgery
The surgery happened at Dreamtime Dentistry. After the surgery, Silvanna was described as being “out of it.” This means she was very sleepy and not acting like her normal self. But the dentist’s office said she woke up after the surgery. Her vital signs, like breathing and heartbeat, were stable. The dentist’s office believed she was safe to go home.
Dr. Watkins explained, “Dr. Watkins follows standard protocol. Had he been informed of any recent fever or illness, especially within 24 hours of the procedure, it would have been rescheduled until the patient was healthy.” He also said that Silvanna was a “healthy nine-year-old with a history of regular medical checkups.” Before her surgery, the dentist and doctors made sure to check her medical and dental history carefully.
After the surgery, Silvanna left the dentist’s office. She fell asleep in the car while her family drove home. When they arrived home, she stayed asleep. Her family watched her to make sure she was okay. But Silvanna did not wake up. She did not answer when her family tried to talk to her. This worried her family a lot.
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A Medical Emergency at Home
Because Silvanna was not waking up, her family called 911 for help. Paramedics rushed to the house and took her to Rady Children’s Hospital. The doctors worked very hard to help her. They gave her medicines. They did chest compressions, which means they pressed on her chest to help her heart beat. They put a tube in her throat so she could breathe. But nothing seemed to help.
At 5:44 pm, Silvanna was pronounced dead. This means the doctors could not save her. The whole family was heartbroken. Friends and neighbors were very sad too. It was a very hard day for everyone who knew Silvanna.
Rare Blood Problem Called Methemoglobinemia
The doctors wanted to know why Silvanna died. They did an autopsy, which is when doctors look carefully at the body after someone dies. The Medical Examiner said the cause of death was “methemoglobinemia in the setting of recent nitrous oxide administration.” This is a very rare blood problem.
The Cleveland Clinic explains that methemoglobinemia is a condition where the blood cannot carry oxygen well. Our red blood cells help bring oxygen to all parts of our body. If someone has methemoglobinemia, their blood cannot do this job. People who have this problem may not get enough oxygen, even if they are breathing well. Their oxygen levels can stay low, even when they get lots of oxygen.
Dr. Watkins said, “In patients experiencing this condition, there is typically a refractory hypoxemia, which means that even when breathing 100% oxygen with no airway obstruction, pulse oximetry readings will show abnormally low levels in the 80s instead of the normal high 90s.” He also said that Silvanna “never exhibited” signs of this condition during her surgery or recovery at the dentist’s office.
How Nitrous Oxide Is Used in Dentistry
Dentists often use a gas called nitrous oxide to help patients relax. Some people call it “laughing gas.” It makes people feel calm and less worried. Sometimes, it helps people fall asleep for their dental procedures. Most of the time, nitrous oxide is safe. But in rare cases, it can cause problems. For some people, it may lead to methemoglobinemia. This is what the Medical Examiner said happened to Silvanna.
Dr. Watkins shared, “While the Medical Examiner has ruled this an accident, we take this outcome with the utmost seriousness. We are conducting a thorough internal review of this case and are consulting with leading experts in dental anesthesia to ensure we continue to provide the safest possible care for our patients.”
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The dentist’s office felt very sad about what happened. They wanted to find out if they could do anything differently in the future to keep all children safe.
Remembering Silvanna Moreno
Silvanna’s family and friends were heartbroken after her death. They remembered her as a happy and loving child. She was a third grader at Sherman Elementary School in San Diego. Her school friends and teachers loved her. She was always smiling and liked to give big hugs.
A GoFundMe page was set up for Silvanna’s family. It said, “It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic loss of 9-year-old Silvanna Moreno. Silvanna was a bright and loving third grader at Sherman Elementary School in San Diego. She was the sunshine in every room she entered, always greeting staff and classmates with a big smile and an even bigger hug.”
People from all over the community wanted to help Silvanna’s family. They donated money to help pay for funeral costs and other needs. Everyone wished they could bring Silvanna back.
How Families Can Keep Children Safe at the Dentist
Many parents worry about taking their children to the dentist. They want to make sure their kids are safe. Dentists and doctors also want to keep everyone safe during dental treatments. When a child needs surgery or anesthesia, there are important steps to follow.
Doctors say it is very important to tell the dentist if your child is sick. If your child has a fever, cough, or feels unwell, you should let the dentist know. Sometimes, it is better to wait until your child is healthy before having surgery. This can help prevent problems.
Dentists also check each child’s medical history. They want to know if a child has had any health problems before. This helps them decide what kind of medicine or anesthesia is safe for your child.
Dr. Watkins said that if he had known about Silvanna’s fever or illness, he would have rescheduled her surgery. He explained, “Had he been informed of any recent fever or illness, especially within 24 hours of the procedure, it would have been rescheduled until the patient was healthy.”
What is General Anesthesia?
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General anesthesia is a special medicine that helps people sleep during surgery. When you are under general anesthesia, you do not feel pain. Dentists sometimes use this for children who are very scared or have a lot of dental work to do.
Doctors and nurses always watch carefully when someone is under anesthesia. They check the patient’s breathing, heartbeat, and other signs to make sure they are safe. Most of the time, anesthesia is safe. But sometimes, rare problems can happen, like what happened to Silvanna.
Parents and Dentists Working Together
It is important for parents and dentists to work together. Parents should always tell the dentist about any sickness, fever, or other problems their child has. Dentists should ask lots of questions and listen carefully to parents.
If your child is scared about going to the dentist, talk with the dentist before the visit. Sometimes, dentists can help make the visit easier. They may use special tricks or give calming medicine to help your child feel better.
Learning from This Tragedy
Silvanna’s story is very sad, but it helps remind everyone to be careful. Doctors and dentists want to learn from what happened. They want to make sure all children are safe when they go to the dentist. Dr. Watkins and his team are working with experts to review what happened and learn how to prevent it in the future.
No one ever wants a child to get hurt or die during a visit to the dentist. That is why doctors and dentists always look for ways to make their care safer.
How to Talk to Kids about Dental Visits
Many kids are nervous about going to the dentist. They may worry about pain or about being away from their parents. It is helpful for parents to talk to their children and explain what will happen.
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You can tell your child that the dentist is there to help keep their teeth healthy. You can also explain that sometimes, medicine is used to help them relax or sleep. If your child is scared, let the dentist know. Most dentists are very good at helping kids feel comfortable.
The Importance of Medical History
Before any surgery, doctors and dentists need to know a lot about your child’s health. This is called the medical history. It tells them if your child has any allergies, has been sick recently, or has had any problems with anesthesia before.
Always be honest with the dentist about your child’s health. If your child has a cough, fever, or has been around someone who is sick, tell the dentist. Even if your child seems only a little sick, it is better to wait until they are healthy.
How Friends and Community Help in Hard Times
When something sad like this happens, friends and neighbors want to help. Silvanna’s community set up a GoFundMe page to support her family. Many people sent kind words and donations. They wanted to show love and care for Silvanna’s family.
Being part of a caring community is important. When someone is sad or hurting, friends can help by listening, sharing kind words, or helping with meals or chores.
Expert Advice for Parents
Doctors say that most dental visits are safe. But they also remind parents to be careful. Here are some tips to help keep your child safe at the dentist:
- Always tell the dentist if your child is sick.
- Fill out all forms honestly.
- If your child has a fever or feels unwell, reschedule the appointment.
- Talk to the dentist about any worries you have.
- Ask the dentist to explain what will happen during the visit.
These simple steps can help keep kids safe and make dental visits easier for everyone.
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Remembering Silvanna’s Smile
Even though Silvanna is gone, her memory lives on. Her family, friends, and school remember her smile and her hugs. They will never forget her kindness and love.
Everyone wishes this accident had not happened. But by sharing Silvanna’s story, people hope to help other families stay safe. If you ever feel scared or worried about a visit to the dentist, talk to your parents or your dentist. They are there to help you.
A Call for Safer Care
After Silvanna’s death, Dreamtime Dentistry promised to look at their safety rules. They are working with experts to learn more about how to keep kids safe during dental surgery. They want to make sure this does not happen to anyone else.
“We are conducting a thorough internal review of this case and are consulting with leading experts in dental anesthesia to ensure we continue to provide the safest possible care for our patients,” said Dr. Watkins.
Doctors and dentists everywhere are paying attention to this story. They want to learn from it and make dental care better for all children.
Conclusion: Helping Each Other Stay Safe
Silvanna Moreno’s story is very sad. She was a bright and loving girl. Her family, friends, and schoolmates miss her every day. Her story reminds us how important it is to be careful at the dentist and to always share health information.
Parents and dentists must work together to keep children safe. If you have any questions or worries, always talk to the dentist. They want to help you and keep you safe.
By learning from Silvanna’s story, we can help protect other children in the future. We can remember to speak up, ask questions, and take care of each other. That is the best way to honor Silvanna’s memory and keep everyone safe.
If you want to know more, you can talk to your dentist, your doctor, or your teacher. They can help answer your questions and help you feel safe and cared for.
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