How To Be Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are specialized dental surgeons who treat patients with medical issues that involve the maxillofacial areas and oral cavities of the mouth and face. The cheeks, forehead, and soft connective tissues in these areas can all be affected by a number of illnesses that these medical and dental professionals assess, diagnose, and treat.

You’ll read about oral and maxillofacial surgeon salaries and how long it takes to become an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon works with dental professionals and office staff to ensure compassionate and superior care of their patients and may take on many responsibilities in addition to performing oral surgery. Several important job duties of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon include

• Removing impacted, damaged and unrestorable teeth
• Performing reconstructive surgery to areas of the mouth, face, neck or jaw following injuries, medical procedures or other conditions
• Treating and evaluating patients for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
• Treating infections in the jaw, neck, salivary glands and overall oral cavity, including mouth ulcers and cysts
• Performing jaw realignment surgeries to improve health and appearance
• Performing cosmetic dental procedures like cheekbone and chin enhancements
• Collaborating with surgical teams to improve processes and ensure positive outcomes for patients
• Evaluating patients’ symptoms to identify conditions affecting overall health
• Educating patients and families about procedures, exams and medical results

How to become an oral and maxillofacial surgeon

The following steps show you how you can become an oral and maxillofacial surgeon:

1. Earn your bachelor’s degree

All prospective dental and medical students must earn an undergraduate degree. A bachelor’s program in pre-med studies or one that focuses heavily on biology, physiology, anatomy, microbiology, chemistry and mathematics can help prepare you for dental school and surgical training.

2. Take and pass the Dental Admissions Test (DAT)

Before enrolling in dental school, you must take and pass the DAT, which evaluates your abilities in biological and physiological subjects, along with your logical reasoning, comprehension and math skills. Once you pass the exam, you’re eligible to enroll in dental school.

3. Complete dental school

Your dental education program can take up to four years to complete and focus on general dental practice, treatment methods and other aspects of the field. Many programs require students to participate in internships, where they work with dental patients and apply their skills. You earn your Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) degree at the conclusion of your dental program. Both allow you to practice dentistry; however, to become an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, you need to complete advanced training to obtain your medical degree.

4. Complete an approved surgical residency

Completing an approved residency advances your training in oral and maxillofacial surgery and awards you with your medical degree, which you need in addition to your DDS or DDM to practice. Oral and maxillofacial surgical residencies can last anywhere from four to six years, with at least two years dedicated to obtaining your medical degree. Additionally, oral and maxillofacial surgeons complete clinical rotations that help them apply their training and knowledge and prepare them for entering their careers.

5. Apply for state licensure

Once you obtain your dental and medical degrees, you can apply for your state license to practice. It’s crucial to research the regulations for the state you intend to work in because specific licensure requirements can differ between states. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons often complete the Oral Certifying Examination to get certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) (OCE). You can start your career as soon as you have your license to practice.

Tips for developing your career as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon

Developing in your career as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon can help you overcome challenges, build supportive relationships and succeed in your role. Consider the following tips for supporting your career development:

• Take part in research and innovations in dentistry.  Advance your career and support your knowledge of topics in your field by finding and contributing to research opportunities, collaborating with dental and surgical teams and attending workshops that help you deepen your expertise.
• Involve your surgical teams in patient evaluations.  Aspiring surgeons and surgical assistants can benefit from observing patient exams and evaluations, as this involvement provides learning opportunities that can help your team advance in their careers.
• Develop your customer service skills.  Customer service skills are highly useful in fields other than sales, and your ability to connect and build relationships with your patients can ensure your practice maintains a positive reputation and public image.

Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeon Salary

In the United States, the compensation range for an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is from $234,470 to $389,325.

How Long Does It Take To Become An Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeon

To practice oral and maxillofacial surgery, most surgeons must complete 8 years of postgraduate training, while some may choose to complete more.

In addition to dental school, some surgeons may choose to also attend medical school. While medical school is not required to practice oral and maxillofacial surgery, some surgeons may prefer to earn dual degrees before hospital-based residency training.

Conclusion

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons have specialized knowledge in both medical practice and dental surgery. Unlike general dentists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons must hold both a medical and dental degree to practice in their field. There are various things to think about if you want to work in oral and maxillofacial surgery.