Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Perform surgery and related procedures on the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial regions to treat diseases, injuries, or defects. May diagnose problems of the oral and maxillofacial regions. May perform surgery to improve function or appearance.

Median Annual Wage: $187,200

Education: Post-doctoral training (72%); Doctoral degree (20%); Professional degree (8%)

Projected Growth: Faster than average (15% to 21%)

Related Job Titles: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (OMS); Oral Surgeon; Dental Service Chief; Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS); Surgeon; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon-Practice Owner; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Resident; Resident Physician; Resident Surgeon

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

More Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Careers

  • Collaborate with other professionals, such as restorative dentists and orthodontists, to plan treatment.
  • Evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth to determine whether problems exist currently or might occur in the future.
  • Perform surgery to prepare the mouth for dental implants, and to aid in the regeneration of deficient bone and gum tissues.
  • Remove impacted, damaged, and non-restorable teeth.
  • Treat infections of the oral cavity, salivary glands, jaws, and neck.
  • Remove tumors and other abnormal growths of the oral and facial regions, using surgical instruments.
  • Provide emergency treatment of facial injuries including facial lacerations, intra-oral lacerations, and fractured facial bones.
  • Treat problems affecting the oral mucosa, such as mouth ulcers and infections.
  • Restore form and function by moving skin, bone, nerves, and other tissues from other parts of the body to reconstruct the jaws and face.
  • Perform surgery on the mouth and jaws to treat conditions such as cleft lip and palate and jaw growth problems.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

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