Toddler Dies After Dental Procedure With Anesthesia
ENGLAND – A family in Salisbury, Wiltshire is mourning the loss of their 2-year-old son who died after his lungs collapsed during a dental procedure involving anesthesia. The tragedy occurred at Valleygate Dental Surgery Center in Greensboro, North Carolina, and is now under investigation.
The child’s parents, David Mitchell and his wife, said their son was completely healthy before the surgery, which was only meant to treat cavities. Mitchell recalled that doctors checked his heart, weight, and overall condition, and assured them everything was fine. A short while later, they discovered their child had already been rushed to the hospital in an ambulance—without their knowledge. The parents said they were left shocked and confused as to why they were not informed right away.
The father described his son as the best child they could ever have and admitted he has many questions that remain unanswered.
The North Carolina Dental Board expressed sadness over the child’s death and said they will conduct a full investigation. They explained that Valleygate is an independent surgery center that works with both dental and medical professionals, and it does not fall directly under the Dental Board’s authority.
According to the Dental Board, their investigation will focus on whether the death was caused by sedation administered by a medical provider, which is beyond their jurisdiction, or by dental treatment errors, which fall within their authority. As of now, Valleygate Dental Surgery Center has not released any statement regarding the incident.
For the grieving parents, the sudden loss of their only child has left them devastated—not only because of the tragedy itself, but also because of the lack of clear answers. They continue to seek explanations, hoping that no other family will ever endure such a heartbreaking experience.