Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is surgery to correct a wide spectrum of diseases,
injuries and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues
of the oral and maxillofacial region. It is a recognized international surgical
specialty.
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a regional specialist
surgeon treating the entire craniomaxillofacial complex: anatomical area
of the mouth, jaws, face, skull, as well as associated structures. Maxillofacial
surgeons are usually initially qualified in dentistry and have undergone
further surgical training. Some OMS residencies integrate a medical education
as well & an appropriate degree medicine (MBBS or MD or equivalent) is earned,
although in the United States there is legally no difference in what a dual degree
OMFS can do compared to someone who earned a four year certificate. Oral &
maxillofacial surgery is universally recognized as a one of the nine specialties
of dentistry. However also in the UK and many other countries OMFS is a medical
specialty as well culminating in the FRCS (Fellowship of the Royal College
of Surgeons). Regardless, all oral & maxillofacial surgeons must obtain a degree
in dentistry (BDS, BDent, DDS, or DMD or equivalent) before being allowed to
begin residency training in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
They also
may choose to undergo further training in a 1 or 2 year subspecialty fellowship
training in the following areas:
* Head and neck cancer - microvascular
reconstruction
* Cosmetic facial surgery
* Craniofacial surgery/Pediatric
Maxillofacial surgery
* Cranio-maxillofacial trauma
The
popularity of oral and maxillofacial surgery as a career for persons whose first
degree was medicine, not dentistry, seems to be increasing. Integrated programs
are becoming more available to medical graduates allowing them to complete
the dental degree requirement in about 3 years in order for them to advance to
subsequently complete Oral and Maxillofacial surgical training |
