In this course, attendees will learn the scope and responsibilities of prescription writing privileges as it applies to the practice of dentistry. The history of pain management and dentistry's responsibility in combating the prescription drug epidemic will be discussed. Pharmacologic pain management options available to dentists will be reviewed including opioids and non-opioids including principles of oral dosing regimens and side effects, contraindications and clinically significant drug-drug interactions. Basic pain physiology will be reviewed as well as the mechanisms of action of commonly prescribed analgesics. The dentist’s responsibility in combating drug diversion will be presented including how to identify drug seeking patients.