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Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeon

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Life As an Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeon

Career Description 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.

Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeon Responsibilities

  • 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.
  • Perform minor cosmetic procedures, such as chin and cheekbone enhancements.
  • Perform surgery to prepare the mouth for dental implants, and to aid in the regeneration of deficient bone and gum tissues.
  • Remove tumors and other abnormal growths of the oral and facial regions, using surgical instruments.
  • Remove impacted, damaged, and non-restorable teeth.

What Every Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeon Should Know

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

  • Dental Surgeon
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  • Resident Physician
  • Surgeon/President
  • Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Resident

Are There Job Opportunities for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons?

There were about 6,800 jobs for Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeon in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 19.1% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,300 new jobs for Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeon by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 300 job openings in this field each year.

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The states with the most job growth for Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeon are Tennessee, South Dakota, and Virginia. Watch out if you plan on working in Idaho, Pennsylvania, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeon Average Salary

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons make between $61,570 and $208,000 a year.

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Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons who work in Arizona, California, or Florida, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Arizona $208,000
California $264,380
Florida $208,000
Indiana $272,360
Iowa $263,270
Kentucky $188,750
Maryland $276,280
Massachusetts $208,000
Michigan $220,660
Missouri $208,000
Nebraska $266,810
New Mexico $54,120
New York $249,460
North Carolina $208,000
Ohio $208,000
Oklahoma $229,300
Oregon $208,000
Pennsylvania $225,660
South Carolina $256,650
Tennessee $163,220
Texas $181,260
Virginia $260,810
Washington $208,000
Wisconsin $187,400

What Tools do Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons may use on a daily basis:

  • DSN Software Oral Surgery-Exec
  • Dolphin Imaging & Management Solutions Dolphin Management

How do I Become an Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeon?

Learn what Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeon education requirements there are.

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Where Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Work

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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Those interested in being an Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeon may also be interested in:

References:

Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Amy Perry via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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