How to Be Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Sep 25, 2022 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are highly trained medical professionals who specialize in the diagnosis, surgical, and medical treatment of diseases, injuries, and defects that affect the mouth, teeth, jaws, and face. They are often responsible for performing complex and delicate operations such as reconstructive facial surgery, wisdom tooth removal, dental implants, and jaw alignment. The long-term effects of these procedures can be quite significant and include improved oral health, better facial symmetry, improved speech, and increased self-confidence. The cause of these effects is due to the skill and expertise of the oral and maxillofacial surgeon, who must combine the knowledge of medicine and dentistry with surgical techniques to perform successful operations.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. The first step to becoming an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is to earn a bachelor's degree. It is important to pick a major that will provide you with the prerequisites for dental school.
Take the Dental Admission Test. After completing your bachelor's degree, you will need to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT). This test is designed to assess knowledge and aptitude in areas such as biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, reading comprehension, quantitative reasoning and perceptual ability.
Attend Dental School. Once you have taken the DAT, you can apply to dental school. This will typically take four years to complete. During your time in dental school, you will learn about dentistry and gain hands-on experience with various dental procedures.
Complete an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Program. After graduating from dental school, you will need to complete a residency program in oral and maxillofacial surgery. This program will usually last four years and will involve extensive training in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Obtain Licensure. In order to practice as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, you will need to obtain licensure in the state in which you plan to practice. Each state has its own licensing requirements, so it is important to familiarize yourself with the requirements of the state in which you plan to practice.
Maintain Certification. Once you have obtained licensure, you may choose to become board certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. In order to maintain certification, you must complete continuing education courses and demonstrate your proficiency in the field.

Staying ahead and qualified as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon requires dedication and a commitment to lifelong learning. Keeping up to date with the latest advances in the field, staying informed about changing regulations, attending continuing education courses, and joining professional organizations are all important steps to ensure that you maintain your qualifications. Additionally, staying on top of the latest technologies and techniques can help you to provide the best possible care for your patients. By taking these initiatives, you will be able to stay ahead of the curve and remain a qualified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon.

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Job Description

Diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, and deformities of the mouth, face, and jaws.
Perform surgical procedures to correct facial deformities, including cleft lip and palate repairs.
Extract teeth and perform other surgical procedures, such as bone grafting.
Utilize a variety of surgical instruments, prostheses, and dental implants to reconstruct facial structures.
Treat facial trauma, injuries and fractures.
Perform reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, such as rhinoplasty and face lifts.
Consult with patients to develop treatment plans and discuss options for care.
Monitor recovery progress following surgery and prescribe medications or therapies as needed.
Educate patients about oral health care and preventive practices.
Maintain medical records and document patient care services.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Comprehensive knowledge of anatomy and pathology of the head, neck, temporomandibular joint, and associated musculature.
Ability to diagnose and manage a wide range of oral and maxillofacial diseases, injuries, and deformities.
Ability to perform a variety of surgical procedures, including extractions, implants, bone grafting, TMJ surgery, cleft palate repair, orthognathic surgery, and other craniofacial surgeries.
Expertise in the use of anesthesia and sedation for oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Ability to interpret dental radiographs, facial images, and other diagnostic studies.
Ability to communicate effectively with patients, families, and other healthcare providers.
Knowledge of infection control protocols and safety regulations.
Knowledge of dental materials and instruments used in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Skilled in the use of advanced surgical techniques, including minimally invasive procedures.
Ability to provide comprehensive preoperative and postoperative care for patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Good communication skills are essential for any Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon to succeed. A surgeon must be able to effectively communicate with patients, colleagues and staff in order to properly diagnose and treat any oral and maxillofacial issues. This can help to ensure that the patient is comfortable and well-informed about their condition and treatment plan.

a surgeon must have good interpersonal skills in order to build trust with their patients. Being able to build trust will help to ensure that the patient is more likely to adhere to the treatment plan and follow any instructions given by the surgeon. Furthermore, technical skills such as surgical techniques and knowledge of anatomy are also necessary for a successful surgeon.

Being able to accurately assess, diagnose, and treat any oral and maxillofacial conditions requires a good understanding of the human body and the medical procedures needed to treat it. Finally, being organized and detail-oriented is important for a surgeon as they must keep accurate records of their patients medical histories, treatments, and outcomes. All of these skills are essential for a successful Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in performing Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?
What challenges have you faced in past Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery assignments?
What techniques do you use to ensure the safety of patients during surgery?
How do you stay up-to-date on the latest advances in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?
Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision in an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery case.
How do you handle difficult conversations with patients about their treatment options?
What is your approach to working in a multidisciplinary team setting?
What do you consider to be the most important qualities of a successful Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon?
How do you manage conflict between team members in an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery practice?
In what ways do you strive to provide a positive patient experience during surgery?

Common Tools in Industry

Surgical Drills. Used to make holes in bone for the installation of dental implants. (e. g. Zimmer Tissue Regeneration System)
Surgical Scalpels. Used to make precise cuts in gums and soft tissues. (e. g. Bard-Parker Scalpel Handle)
Osteotomes. Used to shape and contour bone for the installation of dental implants. (e. g. Stryker Osteotome)
Bone Grafting Instruments. Used to place bone graft material into place. (e. g. Zimmer Tapered Bone Grafting Instrument)
Forceps. Used to hold and manipulate tissue during surgery. (e. g. Weitlaner Retractor)
Curettes. Used to remove calculus and plaque from teeth before implantation. (e. g. Gracey Curette)
Suturing Instruments. Used to close wounds after surgery. (e. g. SH Biotech Endosuture Needle Holder)
Elevators. Used to dislodge teeth for extraction and for placing dental implants. (e. g. Coupland Elevator)
Dental Chisels. Used to shape bone for the installation of dental implants. (e. g. Gille Chisel)
Bone Files. Used to smooth and shape bone for the installation of dental implants. (e. g. K-Files)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS)
American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (ACOMS)
International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (IAOMS)
European Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (EAOMS)
Australasian Academy of Dento-Facial Aesthetics (AADFA)
British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS)
Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS)
American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS)
International College of Oral Implantology (ICOI)
American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID)

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Common Important Terms

Dental Implant. A surgical procedure used to replace missing teeth by inserting a metal post into the jawbone and attaching a crown or bridge.
Tooth Extractions. A procedure that removes a tooth from its socket in the jawbone.
Jaw Realignment. A procedure to correct misalignments in the jawbone.
Orthognathic Surgery. A type of corrective jaw surgery that can help bring the jaws into better alignment, resulting in improved function and aesthetics.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders. Disorders of the jaw joint that can cause pain and dysfunction.
Facial Trauma. An injury to the face, including the soft tissue and bones, that may require reconstructive surgery.
Maxillofacial Prosthetics. Artificial replacements for missing facial structures, such as eyes, ears, and noses.
Oral Cancer Surgery. Surgical procedures to remove cancerous tissue in the mouth and throat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon? A1: An Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon is a dental specialist who is qualified to diagnose and treat diseases, injuries, and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws, and mouth. Q2: How long does it take to become an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon? A2: It typically takes 8 to 10 years of university education, including a 4-year dental degree, followed by 4 to 6 years of hospital-based surgical and anesthesia training. Q3: What type of procedures do Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons perform? A3: Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons perform a wide variety of procedures such as jaw and facial reconstruction, dental implants, corrective jaw surgery, wisdom tooth removal, cleft lip/palate repair, and more. Q4: What type of anesthesia do Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons use? A4: Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons can use a variety of anesthesia techniques, including local anesthesia, intravenous sedation, and general anesthesia. Q5: Who should visit an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon? A5: Individuals with facial or oral problems such as impacted teeth, facial trauma, tumors or cysts in the mouth or jaw area, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, or difficulty chewing should visit an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon.