Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
SOC 29-1022.00 · ESCO 2261 · OSCA 263131
Role snapshot
Overview
Performs surgical procedures on the mouth, jaw, and face, including wisdom-tooth extractions, corrective jaw surgery, and trauma repair. Works in operating rooms and dental offices, managing complex cases that require both medical and dental expertise. This specialty involves diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries, and defects of the head, neck, face, jaws, and the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region.
Significantly improves patients' quality of life by restoring function, aesthetics, and alleviating pain related to facial and oral conditions, trauma, and congenital defects. Plays a critical role in emergency care and reconstructive surgery.
On the job
- Conduct comprehensive patient evaluations, including medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic imaging.
- Perform complex surgical procedures such as dental implant placement, corrective jaw surgery (orthognathic surgery), facial trauma repair, and tumor removal.
- Administer general anesthesia and sedation, and manage post-operative care, including pain management and infection control.
- Collaborate with other healthcare professionals, including dentists, orthodontists, plastic surgeons, and oncologists, for integrated patient care.
- Educate patients and their families about surgical procedures, risks, benefits, and recovery processes.
Tools & technology
Average salary
Job outlook
GrowingJob growth is expected to be above average over the next five years.
Education & training
Requires completion of dental school (DDS or DMD), followed by medical school (MD) or a specialized oral and maxillofacial surgery residency program, typically 4-6 years, often including a medical degree.
Career pathways
WHERE YOU COULD GO
CURRENT ROLE
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
Medical & Clinical
ADJACENT MOVES
STARTING POINTS
Who thrives here
Interest profile
investigative · IRS
Individuals who thrive on complex problem-solving, meticulous surgical execution, and patient care in a highly specialized medical field often find this role rewarding. It requires a strong investigative mind, realistic hands-on skills, and effective communication with patients and colleagues.
Personality characteristics
Meticulous
Approaches surgical procedures and diagnostic analysis with extreme attention to detail and precision, ensuring patient safety and optimal outcomes.
Composed
Maintains calm and clear decision-making under high-pressure situations, suchs as emergencies or complex surgical complications.
Analytical
Systematically diagnoses complex conditions, evaluates treatment options, and interprets diagnostic imaging to formulate precise surgical plans.
Collaborative
Works effectively with diverse medical teams, including anesthesiologists, nurses, and other specialists, to ensure coordinated patient care.
Decisive
Makes timely and confident judgments, especially during surgery, to address unexpected challenges and ensure patient well-being.
Best for
- Individuals who excel at complex problem-solving and highly technical, hands-on procedures.
- Professionals who are driven by a desire to improve patient health and quality of life through surgical intervention.
- Those who can maintain composure and make critical decisions in high-pressure, fast-paced clinical environments.
Watch out for
- The work involves high-stakes situations and requires significant emotional resilience and low neuroticism to manage stress effectively.
- Requires extensive and demanding education and training, including long residency hours and continuous professional development.
- On-call duties and emergency surgeries can lead to unpredictable work hours, impacting personal life.
A week in the life
A representative working week for a Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon — where the deep work, meetings, and admin actually land.
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