Opioid abuse and deaths from overdose have reached epidemic levels in the United States. These drug classes cause significant systemic changes and carry a high risk for tolerance, dependence, and addiction. Dental providers who have the authority to prescribe opioids have a responsibility to the public to ensure appropriate pain management protocols are followed so patients do not run the risk of developing a substance abuse disorder. This course will present information and statistics about commonly misused opioids, pharmacodynamics of non-narcotic and opioid analgesics, and dental pain origin and management.