In this program we will discuss a means to making dental local anesthetic injections both more effective, more comfortable, and safer: the new A,B,C's of dental pain control. Articaine; Buffering;(the local anesthetic 'on switch'); and cold testing to ensure pupal anesthesia. Learning objectives include the following. (1) Discuss the advantages of articaine HCI compared with other local anesthetics. (2) List advantages of buffering local anesthetics. (3) Discuss the protocol for the use of cold testing following local anesthetic administration.