Final answer:
Anticholinergic drugs are responsible for decreasing oral secretions and increasing heart rate before anesthesia induction, key actions to ensure patient safety during a procedure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The class of drugs that decreases oral secretions and increases heart rate prior to anesthetic induction is Anticholinergics. Anticholinergic drugs work by blocking muscarinic receptors and suppressing the parasympathetic interaction with organs, resulting in a decrease in salivary flow and an increase in heart rate. These effects are crucial in preparation for anesthesia to help reduce the risk of aspiration during the procedure and to maintain a stable heart rate.