Background:

the frequency of patients with pulp and periapical illnesses in the Dentistry Clinic of the East Polyclinic of Camaguey is high. It was not know all the risk factors to which patients of this area of health were exposed. It was necessary to specify the level of patients´ information as to how to act facing this diseases.

Objective:

to characterize the acute pulpar and periapical emergencies in treated patients.

Methods:

it was carried out a descriptive and transversal investigation in the Dentistry Clinic of the East polyclinic of Camaguey. The universe was composed of 580 patients to whom a form was applied with socio-demographic variables, the presented complaints, its causes and the way by which they received information about them. Descriptive statistics were applied.

Results:

it prevailed the feminine sex among the ages of 19-59 years old. The most presented pulpar and periapical emergencies were the acute suppurative pulpitis and the acute alveolar abscess. Tooth decay represent 58.6 % of the etymological factors. Only the 18.8 % of patients came to our clinical before 24 hours.

Conclusions:

most of the patients were delayed to seek an opportune relief because of the fear to treatment. A small percentage of those patients had received information on what they should do. The dentist was the main promoter of health. It is necessary a strategic plan of intervention to prevent pulpar and periapical emergencies.

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