Explore a Future in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is one of the most dynamic professions in healthcare today. While the future demand for dentists is expected to continue its steady growth of the last two decades, many dental students consider pursuing a specialty.

As one of 12 dental specialties to choose from, oral and maxillofacial surgery offers numerous ways to make a lasting difference in a patient’s life.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the surgical specialty of dentistry. It is defined by the American Dental Association as the specialty which includes the diagnosis, surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and esthetic aspects of the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region.

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMS) are respected and valued members of the healthcare team. OMSs maintain active staff privileges with local and regional hospitals in their community and practice in a variety of settings including private clinical practice, ambulatory surgical centers and hospitals. Other opportunities are available in academia, military service or in dental research and industry.