WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is undergoing root canal treatment after experiencing dental pain — a procedure that will put him out of commission for at least one public event Monday.
Biden’s personal physician, Kevin O’Connor, said in a memo released by the White House that Biden reported pain in his lower right premolar on Sunday. The president underwent a first root canal that day and he “tolerated the procedure well” without complications, O’Connor said.
On Monday morning, Biden had “additional discomfort” in his mouth, which O’Connor said was expected. A specialized endodontic team from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center will complete Biden’s root canal at the White House.
He was scheduled to appear at College Athlete Day on the South Lawn of the White House, which hosts the NCAA champions of various men’s and women’s sports for the 2022-23 season. Vice President Kamala Harris will attend in place of Biden, the White House said.
Later Monday, Biden is scheduled to meet with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and host a reception for heads of mission, though it’s unclear whether those events would still take place.