Occupation: Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons|Skills.Boutique

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.

Also Known As: Dental Surgeon, Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Maxillofacial Surgeon, Oral Surgeon, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (OMS), Surgeon

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29-1022.00 - Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Core Tasks

Administer general and local anesthetics.
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, cleft palate, and jaw growth problems.

Supplemental Tasks (3)

Perform minor cosmetic procedures, such as chin and cheekbone enhancements.
Perform minor facial rejuvenation procedures, including the use of Botox and laser technology.
Treat snoring problems, using laser surgery.

Emerging Tasks

New and evolving responsibilities for this role:

Evaluate and treat problems related to the temperomandibular joint (TMJ).

Education & Training

Job Zone 5 Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Education: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Experience: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

On-the-Job Training: Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Post-Doctoral Training

72%

Doctoral Degree

20%

First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.

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Technology & Tools

Software (11)

Tools & Equipment (140)

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Physical Health Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 2

Orderlies 76% match

Zone 3

Radiation Therapists 78% match

Zone 4

Medical Dosimetrists 78% match

Zone 5

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons You are here

Real Talk

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Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons