An emergency may be defined as an unforeseen circumstance that requires immediate action. In dentistry pain, infection and maxillofacial injuries are the most common emergencies because of which the child may be brought to the pediatrician. The incidence of oral and dental emergencies in children is increasing due to numerous factors namely negligence on the part of parents about dental health, repeated falls against various objects, vehicular accidents and assault. The oral and dental emergencies may thus arise following trauma, pathology or surgery. The treating physician must apply the same basic principles to tackle the dental emergency as for routine medical emergency since oral cavity is an integral part of the body. The commonly occuring oral and dental emergencies which are common in children where the pediatrician may be called to attend them, will be discussed broadly under four headings namely, odontogenic pain, oral infections, postoperative complications following dentoalveolar surgery and traumatic injuries of teeth and jaws.