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Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon - Career Profile |
Career OverviewAn oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a dental specialist that works to correct any defects or conditions in either the hard or soft tissue of the mouth, teeth and jaws. The oral and maxillofacial surgeon often performs surgeries such as wisdom tooth extractions, realignments of jaws, facial pains due to dental complications and even reconstructive surgeries after accidents or trauma.
The oral and maxillofacial surgeon may work on genetic conditions or conditions that have existed from birth or they may also work on cases where there has been injury to the mouth or jaw area. The oral and maxillofacial surgeon may also provide assistance in areas where other aspects of the head and neck region are being affected due to issues with the mouth, jaw or teeth.
Some of the conditions that an oral and maxillofacial surgeon may be asked to assist with treating include sleep apnea, nutritional diseases that are causing difficulties, cosmetic surgery that includes the face or jaw area, oral cancers and tumors, as well as dental implants and facial injuries. The oral and maxillofacial surgeon may work in conjunction with emergency room medical professionals or may work in private practice with referrals from other dentists and doctors.
The oral and maxillofacial surgeon can provide anaesthesia to patients in office settings to help manage pain and control discomfort during surgical and dental procedures.
The oral and maxillofacial surgeon usually works some on-call hours even when in private practice. They are often on-call for emergency procedures, trauma issues and accident treatment. Those oral and maxillofacial surgeon that work as consulting dentists for hospitals and treatment facilities may have more on-call time than those oral and maxillofacial surgeons in private practice.
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Career RequirementsTo become an oral and maxillofacial surgeon each individual is required to complete a four-year graduate level training in dentistry (DDS or DMD) as well as complete another additional four-year residency program in a hospital. There are some programs that require a longer residency however four years is the standard.
In addition most oral and maxillofacial surgeon belong to the AAOMS, which can be contacted at:
American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
9700 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Rosemont, Illinois 60018-5701
www.aaoms.org
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Job OutlookAs with all medical and dental careers there is a steady, average demand for oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Since the career requires the hospital residency, an additional four years of training, there are usually more positions for oral and maxillofacial surgeons than qualified individuals.
As people become more comfortable with reconstructive and plastic surgeries on an elective basis it is estimated that the demand for oral and maxillofacial surgeon will increase as more people request surgery to correct dental and maxillofacial problems.
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Career TrackOral and maxillofacial surgeons have opportunities to work in private practice, work as consultants to other dental offices and practitioners, as well as work as educators and researchers. Many larger research universities hire oral and maxillofacial surgeons with experience as teaching staff and to oversee the management of training programs for students entering the field.
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CompensationAn oral and maxillofacial surgeon working in a hospital setting or in private practice can anticipate a yearly income of $180,000 and $225,000 with less than five years of experience after completing the residency program. Oral and maxillofacial surgeon that stay in private practice can earn over $300,000 although there will be additional costs involved in operating the practice.
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