How to Become an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (Career, FAQs)

You need empathy for your patients and the ability to remain calm under pressure if you want a career in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Only 33.2% of patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery are female, whereas 67.6% are male. As much as 69.4% of all oral and maxillofacial procedures are performed on White patients.

You’ll need an excellent education first to work in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Following four years of college, four years of dental school, and four to six more years of surgical residency training is the norm.

This article explains the tips on becoming an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, the tips to be successful, and the associated FAQs.

Table of Contents

Who is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon?

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a specialty of general surgery that deals with issues like cleft lip and cleft palate repair in addition to other facial cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are highly trained professionals who perform surgeries ranging from complex facial reconstructions to wisdom tooth extractions.

Is Being an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon A Good Career Path?

Yes, it is. Becoming an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a demanding career path that requires a strong work ethic and a commitment to serving others.

As true specialists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons gain from specializing even more than ordinary dentists do.

Even though some general dentists dabble with minor endodontics, orthodontics, and implant placement, a dentist’s scope of practice is still somewhat limited.

Employment of oral and maxillofacial surgeons is expected to increase by 7% from 2020 to 2030, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The need for these specialists is growing due to demographic shifts and technological medical innovations.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons diagnose and treat problems with the mouth, teeth, and jaw, and they may also conduct various related procedures as part of emergency trauma care or routine outpatient surgery.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Maxillofacial Surgeon?

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a fascinating and demanding specialty since it involves correcting structural and functional problems in the head, face, mouth, jaw, and neck.

Therefore, at least 8 years of schooling after a bachelor’s degree is needed. The standard time spent in residency for an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is 4 years.

A wide variety of surgical and ancillary skills, including anesthesia and pathology, must be acquired during this time, and you can anticipate learning with doctors from other specialties, such as anesthesiology, internal medicine, and general surgery.

Can a Dentist Become a Maxillofacial Surgeon?

Yes. This is because Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM) degrees are awarded upon completion of dental school.

Both allow you to practice dentistry, but additional education is required to become an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

How Much Does an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Earn?

According to salary.com, in the United States, the annual income range for a position in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery typically falls between $236,335 and $392,419.

How to Become an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

1. Obtain a Bachelor’s degree:

Pick a field of study, such as biology or chemistry, that reflects the requirements of dentistry schools. Keep your grades up and get some hands-on experience in the healthcare field by interning or volunteering.

2. Attend To A Dental School:

It takes about four years to graduate from dental school and gain the education and experience required to practice dentistry legally. Oral pathology, anatomy, and radiology are just a few topics dental school covers.

To become a dentist, one must enroll in and graduate from a recognized dental school and take the required courses to receive a DDS or DMD. Get experience in the field by observing established oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

3. Gain clinical experience:

During dental school, seek opportunities to gain hands-on experience in oral surgery procedures. This can be done through externships or by participating in oral surgery rotations.

4. Apply to Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Programs:

After finishing dentistry school, the next step is to enter a residency program in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The duration of these programs ranges from four to six years and is competitive.

You will learn advanced oral surgery, facial trauma care, and anesthetic administration skills during your residency.

In addition, you’ll get to hone your surgical chops by working side-by-side with seasoned professionals.

5. Get A License To Practice:

After finishing a residency program in oral and maxillofacial surgery, you must become board certified to practice.

In most states, this means scoring well on written and practical exams given by the state’s dental board.

6. Keep Learning:

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons must participate in CME and PD activities to keep up-to-date in their fields and give the best care for their patients.

Keeping up with the most recent developments in surgical procedures and technologies may include attending various conferences, courses, and seminars.

Professional development can also be aided by keeping one’s board certification and engaging in relevant research.

On the other hand, if you wish to specialize in these areas, additional fellowship training is available in specialist fields of oral and maxillofacial surgery, such as craniofacial and reconstructive surgery.

How To Be Successful in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

1. Strong surgical skills:

Communicating effectively in the operating room is crucial because of the life-or-death nature of surgery. An error in communication or interpretation in the operation room might have devastating results.

Performing intricate surgical procedures is par for the course as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. You must be able to operate quickly and accurately under stress.

2. Problem-solving abilities:

Every day, there are complex situations for oral and maxillofacial surgeons, necessitating analytical thinking and the ability to solve problems creatively.

Thinking critically and making good choices is essential in this line of work.

More so, accuracy and diligence are essential in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Precision is required throughout the diagnostic and surgical processes to get the best potential results for patients.

3. Communication skills:

It is crucial to have open lines of communication with patients, their loved ones, and other healthcare team members.

Patient trust must be earned via open communication about processes, attentive listening to concerns, and reassuring words.

4. Empathy and compassion:

Patients in oral and maxillofacial surgery frequently come to their offices in distress.

Empathy and compassion help you connect with patients on a deeper level, which is crucial for giving them the emotional support they need as they go through therapy.

Benefits of Being an Oral Surgery Doctor

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons see patients struggling with facial trauma and those seeking elective operations.

No matter what happens, you can help people in ways few other professions can.

While they do see their own patients, oral surgeons frequently collaborate with their dental and plastic surgery counterparts. If you’re feeling lonely at work, this might help.

Cons of Being an Oral Surgery Doctor

Some individuals may need to be in the hospital for a few days, while others may need to take many months to recover fully.

This is especially important for those undergoing sophisticated oral surgery, often performed by oral surgeons.

What You Should Know About Being an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

The field of oral and maxillofacial surgery presents its own unique set of difficulties and opportunities.

The emotional toll of dealing with patients in agony or trauma, long hours, and difficult surgical procedures are all obstacles.

However, there are several benefits to this line of work. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons can significantly enhance patients’ lives, restore face beauty, and leave a long-lasting mark on their communities.

The potential to save or improve people’s lives through surgical procedures is personally and professionally advantageous.

FAQs on Being An Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

What is the most significant degree in dentistry?

Doctorate in Dentistry

What is the easiest major to become a dentist?

Biology or Chemistry

How Long to Become a Dentist?

From six to eight years of study.

Conclusion

The road to higher education is time-consuming, but the payoff is immense.

If you’re interested in becoming an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, you’ll have the chance to help people immensely, improve their quality of life, and develop discipline.

Beginning with a solid educational foundation and actively seeking opportunities to obtain hands-on experience in oral surgery is essential if you want to pursue this hard yet rewarding professional path.

If you put in the time and effort, you can make a difference in healthcare by becoming a qualified oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

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