How to become an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons conduct surgery and relevant procedures to prevent disease and infection in the mouth region. They normally work within a dental practice or medical institution and those working in a 24-hour capacity may be on call.
Personal requirements for an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
- Excellent hand-eye coordination
- Friendly, reassuring demeanour
- Able to do precise and detailed work
- Good communication skills
- Able to concentrate for long periods
- Sympathetic and caring
Education & Training for an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
To become an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon you need to complete 11 years of training, which includes a four-year training programme with Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons; a degree in medicine or dentistry; registration as a dentist and medical practitioner in Australia or New Zealand; and a full year of Surgery in General (SIG). A Senior Secondary Certificate of Education with very good results would normally be needed to gain entry into a medicine or dentistry degree, and prerequisite subjects in English, mathematics, chemistry and physics are traditionally essential.
Additional information
In order to take part in required work placements, students will need to obtain a National Police Check, a Provide First Aid Certificate and a Working with Children Check. Testing for blood-borne diseases such as Hepatitis B and HIV may also be conducted.
Duties & Tasks of an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
The following types of surgery are performed by oral maxillofacial surgeons:
- Preprosthetic surgery (bone augmentation)
- Oral and dentoalveolar surgery for the removal of impacted and buried teeth, cysts
- Dental implant surgery and bone grafting, to replace missing teeth or stabilize dentures; rehabilitation of patients having undergone surgery for tumors, to retain facial prostheses
- Orthognathic surgery for dentofacial deformities
- Facial trauma surgery for facial bone fractures and related soft tissue injuries
- Reconstructive surgery of the face
- Cleft lip and palate surgery
- Congenital craniofacial deformities
- Facial plastic surgery such as rhinoplasty, rhytidectomy, blepharoplasty, facial implants
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD)
- Snoring and sleep apnea correction surgery
- Tumour and cancer surgery
Working conditions for an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Oral maxillofacial surgeons frequently work alongside other specialists such as orthodontists, prosthodontists, radiologists, pathologists, oncologists, ENT surgeons, neurosurgeons and plastic surgeons. Oral maxillofacial surgeons mostly work in clinical practice either in major public hospitals, private practice, or both.
Employment Opportunities for an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons tend to work in private practice, though some are employed in the government sector. Teaching positions are available predominately through universities and dental training institutions.
Specializations
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons conduct surgery and relevant procedures to prevent disease and infection in the mouth region. They normally work within a dental practice or medical institution and those working in a 24-hour capacity may be on call.
