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Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) is a surgical specialty within both medicine and dentistry. It studies the anatomy and embryology of the head and neck, including the teeth, face, jaw, and oral cavity. It studies oral and maxillofacial pathology and medical conditions such as oral mucosal diseases, maxillary sinus disease, oral and maxillofacial cancers, facial pain, temporomandibular joint disorders and oral and maxillofacial injury and trauma. Practice involves specialist knowledge, skills and technology to undertake diagnostic investigation, including radiology and nuclear medicine, and perform a range of surgical procedures, such as dentoalveolar surgery, orthognathic surgery, pre-prosthetic surgery and implantology, and reconstructive OMFS. These surgeries, along with oral and maxillofacial prosthetics and other adjunctive technologies, help patients improve oral and maxillofacial function and quality of life, and prevent further disease, pain or injury. Specialist care is provided in collaboration with other medical, surgical, and health practitioners, such as craniofacial surgeons, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, GPs, ED staff, and community and allied health care teams. Oral and maxillofacial surgical services are provided in hospitals and private outpatient clinics. These services include acute and emergency clinical care, secondary and tertiary clinical care, post-operative care, and OMFS for injury, pain, congenital defect, disease, or cosmetic purposes.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) Jobs

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons specialise in surgery involving the mouth, teeth, face, jaws, head and neck, and are considered both a medical and dental expert. They commonly treat disorders like cancers, impacted wisdom teeth, jaw misalignment and injuries of the oral and maxillofacial region which require reconstructive surgery. They undertake clinical assessments and design management plans which consider the individual needs of their patient and their context. They perform a number of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeries (OMFS), apply prosthetics, prescribe medications and other therapies, and provide follow-up consultation, care and referral. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons perform emergency OMFS procedures as well as cosmetic OMFS procedures. They provide specialist care in both inpatient and outpatient settings, in public hospitals and private clinics. They work independently, and collaborate with medical, dental and health care teams to provide integrated patient care. They train junior doctors, undertake research activities, and provide clinical oversight and leadership in this field. To pursue a career in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, doctors can enter the OMFS training process at either ST1 or ST3, after completing foundation, core training, and core surgical training. OMFS training takes approximately 6 years and leads to a CCT and specialist registration with the GMC.

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