How Can I Study Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery In the USA

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a specialty that deals with the mouth, jaw and face. If you are interested in this field, you may be wondering how to study for it. The first thing to keep in mind is that there are several different routes to becoming an oral surgeon.

In order to practice as a dentist, you need to earn your DMD or DDS degree from an accredited dental school. The school will also provide certification for its graduates who wish to pursue an additional degree in oral surgery or facial plastic surgery.

In this guide, we review the aspects of

• How can I study oral and maxillofacial surgery in the USA?
• What are the branches of oral and maxillofacial surgery?
• How to study oral and maxillofacial surgery in the UK?

How can I study oral and maxillofacial surgery in the USA?

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 Oral And Maxillofacial Surgeon In USA

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. At the end of your dental program, you receive your Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) degree. 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. Exact requirements for licensure can vary between states, so it’s important to research what the requirements are for the state you plan to work in. Typically, though, oral and maxillofacial surgeons obtain certification through the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) by taking and passing the Oral Certifying Examination (OCE). Once you obtain your license to practice, you can enter your career.

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.

FAQ about being an oral and maxillofacial surgeon

Consider the following frequently asked questions for additional insight into becoming an oral and maxillofacial surgeon:

What is the average salary for an oral and maxillofacial surgeon?

According to Indeed’s salary guide, surgeons in the United States earn an average income of $282,016 per year, which can differ significantly depending on the field of surgery. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform complex and sensitive procedures on teeth and bone in the jaw and face, and because of these specialized surgical skills, they may earn more than the average for general surgeons. Additionally, your salary can vary depending on where you live, how long you practice oral and maxillofacial surgery and the level of your credentials.

What is the career outlook for oral and maxillofacial surgeons?

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected employment growth for general dentistry is 3% between 2019 and 2029, which is about equal to all occupations together. The projected career outlook for surgeons is 4%, which can include both oral surgeons and oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

What other fields can oral and maxillofacial surgeons specialize in?

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons work in a highly specialized field; however, some surgeons may focus their practice on specific areas of the jaw, face, neck and skull to provide treatments for patients. For instance, some oral and maxillofacial surgeons specialize in cancers of the jaw and neck and work with patients with related conditions and abnormalities. Other oral and maxillofacial surgeons specialize in reconstructive surgery of the bones of the face, jaw and neck to help patients who have had injuries, illnesses and other conditions that cause deformation of the maxillofacial regions.

What are the branches of oral and maxillofacial surgery?

Dental implants and extraction of wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the most common oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures. But OMSs do much more. Since the earliest days of the specialty, OMSs have expanded their scope of practice to include surgery of the entire maxillofacial complex. Their knowledge and skills make them proficient in the management of bony and soft tissue reconstruction of the entire maxillofacial skeleton. Major areas of OMS practice include: 
 

Anesthesia

OMSs are trained to become experts in all aspects of pain and anxiety control, including general anesthesia/deep sedation and conscious sedation. Much of their training focuses on ambulatory anesthesia and airway management, preparing them to administer safe and effective anesthesia services in the dental office and other ambulatory settings.

Dentoalveolar Surgery

The mainstay of most OMS practice involves the extraction of diseased or impacted teeth. Surgical exposure of impacted teeth to enable the orthodontic-assisted eruption of those teeth into a functional and esthetic position is an important part of dentoalveolar surgical practice. Other traditional office procedures include preparation of the mouth for dentures, treatment of oral infections and biopsy of suspicious lesions of the hard and soft tissue. OMSs also serve as the primary referral source for general dentists needing advice or assistance with the diagnosis of oral surgical problems.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are titanium metal cylinders that replace tooth roots. They are placed into the jawbones, where bone grows into them and locks them in place. Dental implants are used very effectively to replace missing teeth. Dental implants may comfortably and permanently replace one or more teeth and are regarded by many as one of the most important advances in dentistry in the last 50 years. OMSs plan and place dental implants used to replace missing teeth. Training in the placement of implants includes proper diagnosis, treatment, site preparation (including the reconstruction of bone and soft tissues), and maintenance.

Surgical Correction of Maxillofacial Skeletal Deformities

Surgical correction of maxillofacial skeletal deformities includes the reconstructive procedures that correct deformities of the jaws, facial skeleton, and associated soft tissues. These abnormalities may be caused by genetic, environmental, developmental, functional, and/or pathologic aberrations apparent at birth or manifested in subsequent growth and development or acquired through trauma, neoplastic processes, and degenerative diseases. Musculoskeletal deformities of the facial bones can occur in all three planes of space (anteroposterior, vertical, and transverse) or any combination of the three, unilaterally or bilaterally, and in either one or both jaws. The surgical procedures involve repositioning and recontouring the facial bones to correct functional and/or pathologic problems. The principal goal of surgical correction of these skeletal deformities is restoration and/or improvement in function and prevention of potential sequelae.

Orthognathic Surgery

Orthognathic surgery is performed to correct developmental growth abnormalities of the jaws and facial bones. Patients with these abnormalities usually present with a malocclusion. These problems can affect not only chewing but also speech and the overall health of the individual as well as the esthetic appearance of the face. Surgical treatment is usually conducted in combination with orthodontics. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia. During the surgery, the jaws are moved to the correct position, not only to improve the patient’s occlusion but to restore normal facial appearance as well.

Cleft and Craniofacial Surgery

OMSs surgically correct congenital and acquired defects of the maxillofacial region including cleft lip and palate. The majority of cleft and craniofacial surgery occurs in children. The optimal management of patients with cleft and craniofacial deformities traditionally involves a multidisciplinary team which is necessary to correct all adjunctive procedures.

Maxillofacial Trauma

OMSs repair routine and complex facial injuries, set fractured jaw and facial bones, reconnect severed nerves and ducts, and treat other injuries of the face and neck region.

Temporomandibular Joint

OMS training includes the diagnosis and surgical and non-surgical management of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. It also includes the differential diagnosis of head, neck, and facial pain. This comprehensive knowledge affords the patient the ability to regain normal function while eliminating pain.

Pathologic Conditions

OMSs diagnose and manage patients with diseases of the oral and maxillofacial region, including cysts, benign and malignant tumors, soft tissue, and severe infections of the oral cavity and salivary glands. The reconstruction of the mouth and face following the removal of tumors represents the ability of the oral and maxillofacial surgeon to return patients to optimum levels of appearance and function.

Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgery

OMSs correct jaw, facial bone and facial soft tissue problems left as the result of previous trauma or removal of pathology. This surgery, which restores form and function, often includes moving skin, bone, nerves, and other tissues from other parts of the body to reconstruct the jaws and face. These same skills are also used when oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform cosmetic procedures for improvement of problems due to unwanted facial features or aging.

How to study oral and maxillofacial surgery in the UK?

To become a consultant in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) in the United Kingdom, you have to have studied dentistry, passed the exam for membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery (MFDS), studied medicine, passed the exam for membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS), done a five-year specialist registrar training in OMFS, and, finally, passed the fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons OMFS exit exam. As an overseas graduate, you also need to pass the three-part international qualifying examination in dentistry. If you do the international qualifying exam before studying medicine, you can do locum work as a dentist to pay your way through medical school.

The admissions process is managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS); www.ucas.com gives details.

Some medical schools give exemptions for certain parts of the medical course to dentists who have MFDS. This leads to a shortened three- to four-year course; details of this can be found at the UCAS website.

Another good website is the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS) website (www.baoms.org.uk). If you go to education on the menu, you will find information on studying medicine as a second degree.

There are no formal grants for overseas students that I know of, apart from a prize of about £1000 ($1900; €1500) from BAOMS. However, you could ask universities individually if they offer support.

The best way for a qualified overseas dentist to gain entry to a UK medical school would be to do some senior house officer jobs in the United Kingdom in OMFS, get MFDS, and obtain references from UK consultants. You would also be able to visit the medical schools to decide which ones to apply to.

Conclusion

The Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery offers a comprehensive postgraduate residency training certificate program that encompasses the full scope of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. There is a 4-year Certificate program and a 6-year combined OMFS-MD Certificate program.  The 4-year program also offers an optional Master of Science degree (M.S.) in Oral Sciences, while the 6-year program includes a Medical degree (M.D.) and a Certificate for a one-year Internship in General Surgery. The Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery also offers a range of internships, externships, observerships, and continuing education offerings.