Southern Manitoba woman, 23, dies following dental procedure

A 23-year-old woman from southern Manitoba died following a dental appointment, the Manitoba Dental Association disclosed Monday.

The woman, who lives in the Morden-Winkler area, was undergoing a procedure in a dentist's office on Nov. 27 when a medical emergency took place, said Dr. Daron Baxter, president of the dental association.

The patient was taken to hospital, where she died.

The dental association is now investigating the incident.

"The Manitoba Dental Association is committed to following through on gathering the facts," Baxter said Monday in an interview.

She would not identify the procedure that took place in the dentist's office or state whether anesthesia was involved.

"There is information that we are gathering from the standpoint of the dental clinic and there will be some interaction with the [Southern] Regional Health Authority to ascertain information from that," she said.

CBC News requested comment from Southern Health.

Baxter said deaths due to dental procedures are rare but could not say how frequently they occur or state the last time a Manitoba dental patient died as a result of a procedure.

"Serious outcomes involving dental treatment are rare but are taken seriously," she said.

"This is the most serious outcome that can occur and we understand that the family, the community and the dental team needs to understand what happened here.

"This is obviously a tragic outcome and a very challenging time for friends, family and the community involved."