Picture this: A skilled surgeon meticulously reconstructing a patient’s jaw after trauma, not just restoring function but giving them back their confidence and smile.
Think about someone born with a facial deformity that affects their ability to eat, speak, and interact socially. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (OMS) are the specialists who transform these lives through complex surgical procedures.
They combine dental expertise with surgical precision to treat conditions ranging from wisdom teeth extraction to facial reconstruction after trauma.
Total employment: 4,800 (2023)
Common Names for Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
- Oral Surgeon
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (OMS)
- Surgeon
What Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons Do
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons diagnose and surgically treat diseases, injuries and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws, and hard/soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. Here are their core responsibilities:
- Surgical Procedures: Performs complex oral and facial surgeries to treat diseases, injuries, and defects affecting the mouth, teeth, jaws, and facial structures to restore both function and appearance.
- Diagnostic Assessment: Examines patients, reviews medical histories, and interprets diagnostic imaging to develop appropriate surgical treatment plans that ensure optimal outcomes and patient safety.
- Emergency Care: Provides emergency surgical intervention for acute facial trauma, severe infections, and other urgent conditions requiring immediate specialized care to prevent complications.
- Patient Consultation: Communicates detailed treatment options, risks, and expected outcomes to patients and families, ensuring informed consent and establishing trust-based relationships.
- Treatment Planning: Develops comprehensive surgical strategies that coordinate with other healthcare providers to ensure integrated patient care and optimal healing outcomes.
- Post-Operative Care: Monitors patient recovery, manages pain control, and provides follow-up care to ensure proper healing and detect any complications early.
- Risk Management: Evaluates patient health status and potential complications to determine surgical risks and modify treatment approaches accordingly for patient safety.
- Documentation Management: Maintains detailed surgical records, treatment plans, and patient progress notes to ensure continuity of care and meet legal requirements.
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