DENTAL EMERGENCIES INVOLVING CHEST PAIN

Abstract

Objective: This is an updated review of the literature aiming to provide relevant scientific basis for the management of dental emergencies involving chest pain in patients with angina pectoris or acute myocardial infarction. Material and Methods: Bibliographical searches of articles in Portuguese were carried out in the Google Scholar database using the descriptor "dental emergency chest pain" from 2006 to March 2014. The searches resulted in 16 scientific articles. Results: Nine studies have indicated that dentists working in public or private services feel unprepared faced to dental emergencies. They judge not to be able to intervene even in not so rare conditions such as angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction related to anxiety in elderlies, which implies legal duties. Conclusion: Dental emergencies involving chest pain, such as angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction, are a mandatory competence and responsibility of dentists, whom should know how to define, diagnose, prevent and treat them in the dental clinics and thus avoid civil and criminal charges. DESCRIPTORS Chest Pain. Emergencies. Dental Care.