Biden Postpones NATO Leaders Meeting After Root Canal Treatment

WASHINGTON, June 12 (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden postponed a meeting with the NATO chief and skipped his other public events on Monday to undergo his second root canal procedure in as many days, the White House.

“The president is fine and will likely be working at the residence this afternoon,” press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said after the White House treatment.

Biden reported a toothache Sunday, prompting an X-ray and a root canal by a team at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, according to a letter from his doctor that was circulated to reporters.

“The President tolerated the procedure well,” the doctor, Kevin O’Connor, wrote of the previously undisclosed treatment. “There were no complications.”

Biden, 80, experienced more pain Monday, received local anesthesia and did not need to transfer his powers to Vice President Kamala Harris under the 25th Amendment to the US Constitution, the White House said.

Root canal procedures are common to treat infected teeth that cause pain, especially in older adults, said Asgeir Sigurdsson, chair of endodontics at New York University School of Dentistry. Millions are performed each year in the United States with a nearly universal success rate, he said.

Sometimes two or more procedures are required to remove damaged dental tissues and fully resolve the problem, Sigurdsson said. Local anesthetics used to numb pain during the procedure can make it difficult to speak for a few hours afterward.

“Once you treat it properly, it will heal without complications,” Sigurdsson said.

Biden previously underwent root canal procedures in the 1990s, as a senator overseeing Supreme Court confirmation hearings for now Justice Clarence Thomas.

Biden is the oldest person to hold the office of President of the United States and both his age and health he has been the focus of voter attention as he plans to seek a second four-year term in the 2024 election.

SEARCH FOR NATO LEADERS HEATS UP

Meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and a reception for diplomatic staff were rescheduled for Tuesday. Harris attended an event celebrating college athletes, who made no mention of Biden’s absence.

The US-led NATO search for Stoltenberg’s successor was heat with several potential candidates emerging from Europe as the military alliance supports non-NATO Ukraine in its response to Russia’s invasion.

Biden has yet to announce a choice, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Stoltenberg is due to resign at the end of September after nine years in office.

Any new NATO leader must balance unified members’ support for Ukraine while guarding against any development that would lead the group directly into war with Russia.

NATO Secretaries General are generally appointed through a consensus-oriented process, involving all 31 members of the group. The United States exercises great influence in all NATO decisions, paying special attention to Biden’s views.

Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Additional reporting by Tyler Clifford and Doina Chiacu; Edited by Jonathan Oatis and Grant McCool

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