Dentist Shanti Kandala at the new Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center in Milford, Feb. 7, 2024.
Vista, CA — Authorities are investigating the tragic death of a 9-year-old girl who passed away just hours after undergoing a dental procedure involving general anesthesia at Dreamtime Dentistry in Vista. The San Diego Police Department confirmed that the child’s death is currently under investigation, with the cause yet to be determined.
According to the medical examiner’s summary report, the procedure took place on March 18 at Dreamtime Dentistry, located on Vista Village Drive. After surgery, the girl was moved to a recovery room before being discharged in stable condition, per clinic protocols. The family reported that she fell asleep on the ride home and continued sleeping upon arrival.
Tragically, when her family checked on her later, they found her unresponsive and immediately called 911. Paramedics transported her to Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, where she was later pronounced dead. The medical examiner has yet to release an official cause or manner of death.
The unexpected death has raised concerns over the safety of pediatric anesthesia in dental procedures. Recently retired dentist Dr. Michael Davis, an expert witness in dental malpractice cases, commented on the situation, saying, “It breaks my heart. General anesthesia should be a safe procedure. It’s very alarming with any death—child or adult.”
Davis emphasized that administering general anesthesia to children presents more risks compared to adults due to their smaller, more constricted airways. He noted that many dentists perform sedation work on children in hospital operating rooms or outpatient surgical centers to mitigate risks.
Dr. Ryan Watkins is the only dentist listed on Dreamtime Dentistry’s website as performing sedation procedures. In response to the tragic incident, Dreamtime Dentistry issued a statement through a public relations firm. Dr. Watkins expressed condolences to the family and confirmed that the patient had been continuously monitored during the procedure by a dentist anesthesiologist with over 20 years of experience. The statement maintained that the child was discharged in stable condition and that the clinic is fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
The statement also urged restraint regarding speculation, emphasizing that the medical examiner’s findings are pending. “We respectfully ask for patience as the investigation proceeds,” it read. “Our hearts break for the family during this unimaginable time of grief.”
In 2016, a 54-year-old patient at his clinic suffered cardiac arrest after being administered two drugs, one of which state investigators claimed should not have been used. The patient was revived but had no heartbeat for at least nine minutes.
The California Dental Board placed Watkins on professional probation from 2020 to 2023. While California law mandates that physicians and surgeons notify patients of their probationary status, dentists are not required to do the same.
The San Diego Police Department and the medical examiner’s office continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the child’s death. The Dental Board of California has not confirmed whether it has launched a separate inquiry.
Residents can research health professionals, including dentists, through the California Department of Consumer Affairs website, which publicly posts accusations that result in legal civil filings.
