Choosing a dental specialty is one of the most important decisions of your career. If you’re looking for a path beyond routine dental care that allows you to perform life-changing procedures, oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) could be the perfect fit. This highly specialized field blends dentistry, surgery, and anesthesia, offering a unique and challenging career with opportunities to impact patients’ lives profoundly. Before committing to this path, it’s essential to understand what makes OMFS different and what it takes to succeed.
Why Choose OMFS?
- Highly Specialized Skillset: OMFS procedures range from wisdom tooth extractions to corrective jaw surgeries, facial trauma treatments, and even cancer removal.
- Job Stability: General dentists can’t easily overlap into this specialty, ensuring consistent demand for your expertise.
- Advanced Training in Anesthesia: OMFS surgeons receive extensive airway management and intubation training, setting them apart from other dental specialists.
Education and Training Requirements
- Residency: A four-year residency program post-dental school with highly competitive acceptance rates is required.
- Optional Dual Degree: Some programs offer a six-year MD/DDS track.
- Fellowship Options: Specialize further in areas like facial cosmetics, craniofacial surgery, or head and neck oncology.
Work Settings
- Private Practice: Enjoy a flexible schedule and a more predictable caseload.
- Hospitals or Academics: Treat rare, complex cases and trauma patients in a high-paced environment.
- DSO Partnerships: Join organizations like CDP for a supportive culture, better work-life balance, and business management resources.
High Stress, High Reward
- Life-Changing Work: Your skills will transform patients’ lives.
- Pressure and Debt: Long schooling, high student loans, and complex cases can add stress—but the payoff includes higher earnings and career satisfaction.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is a demanding but fulfilling career for those ready to push their skills to the next level. If you’re passionate about making a life-changing impact and want to achieve work-life balance, CDP can help you thrive. Schedule a call with a Hiring Manager today to learn more!
