El Cajon dentist shares innovative idea with mother before his untimely death, now his invention helps others

EL CAJON, Calif — (FOX5/KUSI) More than a year after an El Cajon dentist was shot and killed, his family is honoring his life by launching a product he dreamed of creating.

Dr. Benjamin Harouni, 28, was killed in March 2023 when a former patient entered his dental office and opened fire. His mother, Hilda Harouni, says the grief has not eased with time.

“Most people ask, ‘Are you better?’ I think it gets worse with the time passing,” she said.

Benjamin was known for his warm personality and distinctive smile, his family said. Just weeks before his death, he had shared an idea with his mother for a new product, a flavored dental floss he called Luvline.

“It became my mission to finish the excitement in his voice, to just bring it to life,” Hilda said.

The goal of Luvline, she explained, was to make people fall in love with flossing. For her, it has also become a way to heal.

“Honestly, Luvline for me it’s healing. It’s feeling his love,” she said.

Luvline is now being donated by the family and distributed to dental clinics in 12 states. The Harounis have also launched a nonprofit, Hearts Over Hate, which offers support for families impacted by violence.

Benjamin’s father says it’s the kind of work his son would have wanted.

“I want him to be remembered for the great man he was,” he said. “His force and energy didn’t go away, we just miss his presence.”

Luvline floss can also be purchased on the website that the family launched. Part of each purchase of Luvline goes toward helping families who have lost loved ones to violence.

The criminal case is ongoing, with a competency hearing scheduled later this month.