A topical anesthetic for dental procedures is provided containing about 3 wt % to 10 wt % tetracaine in a vehicle suitable for administration to the oral mucosa. The vehicle for transporting the tetracaine includes a water soluble mucoadhesive or a combination of mucoadhesives such as a high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) homopolymer and a cellulose polymer. The vehicle may additionally include a penetration enhancer such as propylene glycol. The tetracaine is ground into a powder and is suspended in a plasticized hydrocarbon gel which completes the vehicle.
