Latest news with #RyanWatkins
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Cause, manner of death revealed for 9-year-old who died after dental procedure
Above: Report from April 2 on the death of a 9-year-old following a dental procedure. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the cause and manner of death in the passing of a 9-year-old following a dental procedure involving anesthesia at a Vista office earlier this year. The third-grader died on March 18, several hours after undergoing surgery at Dreamtime Dentistry. The incident prompted an investigation by the San Diego Police Department's Child Abuse Unit to determine what may have led to her death. Some of the details identified in the course of the investigation were released in a preliminary report from the medical examiner's office last month. 'pH Miracle' author sentenced for practicing medicine without a license According to the medical examiner, she was awake when she was discharged from the facility, but fell asleep again on the ride home. Once at home, her family moved her to her bed, where they continued to check on her throughout the day. A short while later, they noticed she had become unresponsive, prompting them to call 911. The 9-year-old was transported to the emergency department at Rady Children's Hospital, where life-saving measures were attempted to no avail. In the preliminary report, the medical examiner's office had listed the cause and manner of death as 'pending.' This has since been updated to describe her death as accidental, caused by Methemoglobinemia from the administration of nitrous oxide. Methemoglobinemia is a condition commonly referred to as 'blue baby syndrome' that limits the capability of red blood cells to deliver oxygen to the rest of the body. Some can inherit the disorder genetically, although it is also commonly associated with exposure to certain recreational drugs, medications or chemicals like nitrous oxide, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Per the medical examiner's office, the nine-year-old received nitrous oxide, which is commonly used in dental practice as a less potent anesthetic, in the cocktail of sedatives she received for her procedure. She also had other drugs routinely used in anesthesia practice like dexamethasone, glycopyrrolate, hydromorphone, isoflurane, ketorolac, midazolam, ondansetron, propofol and sevoflurane in her system when she passed, per the medical examiner's report. Student pilot in SR-76 emergency plane landing sentenced to prison for drug trafficking FOX 5/KUSI reached out to Dreamtime Dentistry for comment on the new details and is awaiting response. Dr. Ryan Watkins, the 9-year-old's dentist and anesthesiologist, said in a previous statement Dreamtime was 'deeply saddened by the tragic passing of our young patient, which occurred several hours after her completed dental procedure.' 'Our hearts break for the family during this unimaginable time of grief, and we extend our deepest condolences as we maintain our focus on supporting the family and cooperating fully with the medical investigation,' the statement went on. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Girl, 9, dies after procedure at California dental office
VISTA, Calif. (KSWB/KUSI) – Authorities are looking into the death of a 9-year-old girl that happened hours after she underwent general anesthesia for a dental surgery at Dreamtime Dentistry in Vista, California on March 18th. A statement from Dr. Ryan Watkins, a dentist anesthesiologist at Dreamtime Dentistry, says, in part, 'The patient was referred to our office for dental treatment under general anesthesia due to her young age and acute situational anxiety. Throughout the procedure she was continuously monitored by our dentist anesthesiologist…' PREVIOUS: North County dental office releases statement after girl dies post-surgery The statement goes on to say: 'Following the procedure she was discharged in stable condition – awake, with stable vital signs…' A report from the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office claims the girl was discharged from the facility and remained asleep on the ride home. Once at home, she was placed in her bed where she remained asleep, KSWB/KUSI reports. Family checked on her throughout the day and later found her unresponsive. The girl was pronounced dead upon arrival at Rady Children's Hospital. Where does your neighborhood rank among the 2025 'Best Places to Live'? A representative for Dr. Watkins said, 'The medical examiner's report leaves out the fact that following the procedure, and after time in recovery, the patient was discharged in stable condition. She was awake with stable vital signs…' The statement adds that, at this time, the cause of death has not been determined. The medical examiner is conducting a thorough investigation, with which they are fully cooperating. This is not the first incident at Dreamtime Dentistry to make headlines. Back in 2016, a patient under the care of Dr. Watkins nearly died after a cardiac incident during a dental procedure under anesthesia. Nexstar's KSWB/KUSI reached out to the medical examiner's office and San Diego police, who are conducting the investigation, but had not received a response as of publishing time. A GoFundMe has been set up to cover the funeral costs, raising more than $15,000 as of Monday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
9-year-old-girl dies after dental procedure performed at Vista office
VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Authorities are looking into the death of a 9-year-old girl that happened shortly after she underwent general anesthesia for a dental surgery at Dreamtime Dentistry in Vista on March 18. A statement from dentist anesthesiologist, Dr. Ryan Watkins, of Dreamtime Dentistry says, in part, 'The patient was referred to our office for dental treatment under general anesthesia due to her young age and acute situational anxiety. Throughout the procedure she was continuously monitored by our dentist anesthesiologist…' PREVIOUS: North County dental office releases statement after girl dies post-surgery The statement goes on to say, 'Following the procedure she was discharged in stable condition – awake, with stable vital signs…' A report from the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office claims the girl was discharged from the facility and remained asleep on the ride home. Once at home, she was placed in her bed where she remained asleep. Family checked on her throughout the day and later found her unresponsive. The girl was pronounced dead upon arrival at Rady Children's Hospital. A representative for Dr. Watkins says, 'The medical examiner's report leaves out the fact that following the procedure, and after time in recovery, the patient was discharged in stable condition. She was awake with stable vital signs…' The statement adds that, at this time, the cause of death has not been determined. The medical examiner is conducting a thorough investigation, with which they are fully cooperating. This is not the first incident to make headlines at Dreamtime Dentistry. Back in 2016, a patient in Dr. Watkins care nearly died after a cardiac incident during a dental procedure under anesthesia. FOX 5/KUSI has reached out to the medical examiner's office and SDPD who are conducting the investigation and have not heard back. A GoFundMe has been set up to cover the funeral costs, raising more than $15,000 as of Monday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
North County dental office releases statement after girl dies post-surgery
VISTA, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — A dental office in Vista released a statement Sunday regarding the recent passing of a 9-year-old girl following a procedure at the facility. The child underwent surgery at Dreamtime Dentistry, located at 950 Vista Village Dr., on Tuesday, March 18, the dental office confirmed to FOX 5/KUSI. According to the San Diego Police Department, the girl was put under anesthesia and then moved to a recovery room before being discharged from the facility. Authorities said the child remained asleep during her ride home and was then placed in her bed. LIST: 2025 'California Distinguished' schools in San Diego County Her parents, who had been checking on her periodically throughout the day, later found the child unresponsive and called 911, police explained further. The girl was transported to Rady Children's Hospital Emergency Department, where she was later pronounced dead. A spokesperson for Dreamtime Dentistry released a statement from Dr. Ryan Watkins regarding the incident, which can be found below: We are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of our young patient, which occurred several hours after her completed dental procedure. The patient was referred to our office for dental treatment under general anesthesia due to her young age and acute situational anxiety. Throughout the procedure, she was continuously monitored by our dentist anesthesiologist, who is a Diplomate of the National Dental Board of Anesthesiology as well as a Fellow in Anesthesiology from American Dental Society of Anesthesiology and active member of the American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists who has over 20 years of experience successfully administering general anesthesia on children, with no complications observed. Following the procedure, she was discharged in stable condition—awake, with stable vital signs and protective reflexes intact—into her mother's care, following our standard post-anesthesia protocols. At this time, the cause of death has not been determined. The medical examiner is conducting a thorough investigation, with which we are fully cooperating. We are committed to ensuring all facts come to light. We cannot discuss specific details due to privacy laws and the active investigation. We respectfully ask for patience as the medical examiner completes their work, as premature speculation may cause additional pain to the family. The safety and well-being of our patients have always been and remain our highest priority. While we understand the concerns and questions surrounding this tragic event, we respectfully ask for patience as the investigation proceeds. For the sake of the family and the integrity of the process, we encourage restraint regarding speculation. Our hearts break for the family during this unimaginable time of grief, and we extend our deepest condolences as we maintain our focus on supporting the family and cooperating fully with the medical investigation. We will provide updates when appropriate. Dr. Ryan WatkinsDentist Anesthesiologist, Dreamtime Dentistry Diplomat of the National Dental Board of AnesthesiaFellow of the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology The cause and manner of the 9-year-old's death remains pending at this time. FOX 5/KUSI's Domenick Candelieri contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


Gulf Business
24-02-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Surf Abu Dhabi's Ryan Watkins on the sport's rising popularity in the region
Images: Supplied From February 14-16, Surf Abu Dhabi made history by hosting the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro, the inaugural World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour event in the UAE. This landmark competition not only introduced professional surfing to a new audience but also solidified Abu Dhabi's position as a global sporting and adventure tourism destination. Here, we speak to Ryan Watkins, general manager of Surf Abu Dhabi, who has been instrumental in shaping the region's surfing landscape. Under his leadership, In this conversation, Watkins reflects on the significance of the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro, its impact on Abu Dhabi's tourism, economy, and sporting culture, and the future of Ryan Watkins/ Image courtesy: Thiago Diz Surf Abu Dhabi hosted the inaugural World Surf League Championship Tour event, the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro, in February 2025. How significant was this event for both Surf Abu Dhabi and the broader tourism and entertainment landscape in Abu Dhabi? The Surf Abu Dhabi Pro, the inaugural World Surf League Championship Tour event in the UAE, was a monumental occasion for both Surf Abu Dhabi and the region's tourism and entertainment landscape. We were incredibly excited to unveil the energy of professional surfing to a new audience, igniting a passion for the sport within the UAE and broader Middle East, and offering a first-time experience for many. The event also went beyond just showcasing world-class surfing; it was about inspiring future generations of surfers and demonstrating Abu Dhabi's ability to host premier global events. The impact extended beyond the waves, with hundreds of athletes, coaches, and event staff requiring accommodations and utilizing local services, making the economic impact substantial. This influx of international visitors, many experiencing the Middle East for the first time, further strengthened Abu Dhabi's appeal as a diverse and dynamic destination. The excitement was palpable, with hundreds attending the first day of practice, highlighting the immediate and long-term potential of this landmark event. Taj_Lindblad/ Image courtesy: Run Amuck Photography Beyond the immediate excitement of the event, what are your projections for the economic impact of the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro on the local tourism industry? How did it affect hospitality, retail, and other sectors? The Surf Abu Dhabi Pro significantly boosted the local tourism economy, attracting international visitors and driving revenue across multiple sectors. Increased demand for hospitality services, including hotels and restaurants, along with retail sales and transportation utilisation, contributed to this economic upswing. With a large number of event inquiries coming from outside the UAE and Surf Abu Dhabi's existing user base already comprising 75 per cent of international visitors, this event further solidified Abu Dhabi's position as a global destination, attracting new tourists and fostering long-term growth within the local tourism industry. As a key part of Abu Dhabi's drive to position itself as a global sporting destination, what strategic role did Surf Abu Dhabi play in the city's broader tourism and entertainment vision? Surf Abu Dhabi played a key strategic role in solidifying Abu Dhabi's position as a premier global sporting destination. By hosting the World Surf League Championship Tour, featuring the world's top surfers, Surf Abu Dhabi added another dimension to the city's already impressive portfolio of international sporting events, which includes Formula 1, golf, tennis, and triathlons. This further diversified Abu Dhabi's tourism offerings, attracting a new segment of visitors and showcasing the region's ability to host world-class competitions. This event elevated Abu Dhabi to a prominent position within the global surfing landscape, alongside iconic destinations like Hawaii and Australia. It was a source of immense pride and signified Abu Dhabi's commitment to innovation and its emergence as a dynamic hub for sports, tourism, and entertainment. The Middle East has traditionally not been a hotspot for surfing, so how important was the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro for expanding the popularity and growth of the surf industry in the region? The Surf Abu Dhabi Pro was pivotal for expanding the surf industry's presence in the Middle East. By showcasing the world's best surfers in a region not traditionally associated with the sport, the event generated significant interest and awareness, inspiring potential new surfers. Beyond the competition itself, Surf Abu Dhabi's commitment to developing local talent through coaching programs and grassroots initiatives, including working with Emirati surfers towards Olympic aspirations, further fueled the growth of surfing within the region. Luke_Wyler/ Image courtesy: Run Amuck Photography Can you elaborate on the state-of-the-art wave technology at Surf Abu Dhabi? How does this innovation set the venue apart from other surfing destinations around the world, and what role did it play in the development of surfing as a sport in the Middle East? Surf Abu Dhabi's state-of-the-art wave technology, powered by Kelly Slater's WaveCo, set it apart as a truly world-class surfing destination. This innovative system produces what is widely considered the best man-made wave globally, holding multiple Guinness World Records, including the longest man-made wave and largest artificial wave pool. This cutting-edge technology was crucial for developing surfing in the Middle East, providing a consistent and controlled environment for surfers of all levels, from beginners learning on smaller waves to professionals practicing high-performance manoeuvres on fast, barreling waves. This accessibility and the quality of the waves were key to fostering a vibrant surf culture and nurturing future talent within the region. Modon's strategy with Hudayriyat Island is to bring the world's leading sporting facilities to the region, and this was truly the case with Surf Abu Dhabi. With the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro attracting a global audience, what were the key factors that made the Middle East a growing market for international sporting events like surfing? How did Surf Abu Dhabi cater to international competitors and fans? Several key factors contributed to the Middle East's emergence as a growing market for international sporting events like surfing. The region's investment in world-class infrastructure, coupled with a desire to diversify tourism offerings and engage a global audience, created an attractive environment for hosting major competitions. Surf Abu Dhabi, as a state-of-the-art facility designed for events of this scale, exemplified this commitment. While the local surf community was still developing, the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro provided a catalyst for growth, attracting international competitors and fans. By offering a premium experience, both in terms of wave quality and overall facilities, Surf Abu Dhabi catered to the needs of elite athletes and created a memorable experience for fans from around the world. What were some of the most significant challenges you faced in developing Surf Abu Dhabi, particularly in establishing it as a major destination for adventure and sports tourism, and how did you overcome them? One of the key opportunities we addressed in developing Surf Abu Dhabi was establishing a thriving surf community in a region where surfing wasn't traditionally prevalent. We recognised this as a chance to introduce the sport to a new audience and cultivate a passion for surfing. By offering a world-class facility with unparalleled wave technology and expert instruction, we were able to attract both seasoned surfers and beginners, fostering a growing and enthusiastic surf community. Another area of focus was positioning Abu Dhabi as a compelling surf destination alongside established global surf locales. We saw a positive response, with surfers increasingly choosing Abu Dhabi as a prime surf trip destination, drawn by the quality of the waves and the overall experience. This demonstrated the growing appeal of Abu Dhabi as a hub for adventure and sports tourism. Looking to the future, what other initiatives or events will Surf Abu Dhabi host to further solidify its position as a leading destination for sports tourism in the region, and how do you plan to continue evolving the surf experience? We're developing a range of initiatives and events, including surf mastery retreats, festivals, and concerts, designed to enhance the surf experience, attract a wider audience, and showcase Abu Dhabi's vibrant culture and entertainment offerings. While details are still under wraps, these future developments will build upon the success of the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro and contribute to the continued growth of surfing and sports tourism in the region.