Oral Surgeon Career Guide

What is an oral surgeon?

An oral surgeon is like a super dentist with extra training to do really cool and complex surgeries in your mouth, jaw, and even your face. Think of them as the superheroes who team up with regular dentists and doctors to fix serious issues that go beyond cavities or braces. They handle everything from getting wisdom teeth out to fixing jaws and even helping with face injuries.

Duties and responsibilities

Oral surgeons do a lot more than just pull teeth. They’re the experts you see when you need big procedures in your mouth or on your face. Here’s what they do:

• Take out tough teeth like wisdom teeth
• Fix jaws that might not line up right
• Put in dental implants – those are like fake teeth that feel real!
• Help fix cleft lips or cleft palates in kids
• Figure out what’s causing mouth or face pain
• Do surgeries to make you look better if you’ve had an injury

They even help people with sleep apnea breathe easier at night. Plus, they use special medicine to make sure you don’t feel pain during these procedures, which is pretty cool.

Work environment

Oral surgeons usually work in places like dental clinics or big hospitals. Sometimes, they have a special room just for big surgeries. They also make sure their work areas are super clean to keep germs away, which is really important for keeping everyone safe and healthy.

Typical work hours

Oral surgeons usually work full-time, which means about 40 hours a week. But because they handle emergencies, they might work early in the morning, late at night, or even on weekends. Their job can be really busy, but it’s also super rewarding because they make a big difference in how people look and feel.

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How to become an oral surgeon

Becoming an oral surgeon is a big adventure, kind of like training to be a superhero. Here’s the step-by-step guide on how you can get started on this exciting career path!

Step 1: Start in high school

If you’re in high school and think surgeries are cool, start by loading up on science classes like biology and chemistry. These will give you a good head start. Also, joining science clubs and volunteering at hospitals can give you a sneak peek into the medical world.

Step 2: Earn a bachelor’s degree

Next, you need to go to college and get a bachelor’s degree. Most future surgeons study subjects like biology or pre-med because these will prepare you best for medical school. Make sure to chat with your advisor to pick the best courses.

Step 3: Pass the MCAT

The MCAT is a big test you need to take to get into dental school. It checks if you’re good at problem-solving and understanding science stuff. You’ll usually take it after college or during your final year.

Step 4: Go to dental school

Once you pass the MCAT, it’s time for dental school. This is where things get really interesting because you start learning all about teeth and surgeries. Dental school takes about four years and ends with you getting a DDS or DMD degree.

Step 5: Do a residency

After dental school, you’re not done learning yet! You’ll need to join a residency program in oral and maxillofacial surgery. This is intense training that lasts several years, where you really learn how to be a great oral surgeon.

Step 6: Get licensed

To actually work as an oral surgeon, you need a license. This means passing some tough exams that prove you know your stuff. Each state has different rules, so check what’s needed where you want to work.

Step 7: Become board certified

This step isn’t required, but if you want to be seen as a top expert, getting board-certified is a good idea. It shows that you’re really good at what you do and involves passing more exams.

Step 8: Gain experience

Finally, before you can start your own practice, you’ll probably work in hospitals or dental clinics to get real-world experience. Keep learning and practicing, and soon you’ll be the go-to person for oral surgery!

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How much do oral surgeons make?

Oral surgeon salaries will vary by experience, industry, education, location, and organization size. Other factors impacting their compensation include specialization, complexity of procedures, and patient demographics.

Browse oral surgeon salary data by market

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Types of oral surgeons

Oral surgeons can choose from a few cool specialties, depending on what they like most about the job. Here’s a look at some types and what they do:

Pediatric oral surgeon

These are the oral surgeons who work just with kids and teens. They handle everything from tooth decay to injuries from sports or accidents. Pediatric oral surgeons have to be super friendly and good at making kids feel comfortable at the dentist.

Maxillofacial surgeon

These surgeons focus on the face and jaw. They fix things like jaw misalignments and injuries to the face. They do a lot of surgeries that help improve both how people look and how their jaws work. They often team up with orthodontists to plan out treatments that might involve braces or surgery.

Oral and maxillofacial radiologist

These specialists use cool gadgets like X-rays and MRI machines to look inside your mouth and face without having to do surgery. They help figure out what’s wrong and plan out the surgery with other doctors.

Oral pathologist

If you like solving mysteries, you might like being an oral pathologist. They study diseased tissues from the mouth and face to figure out what’s causing the problem. They look at samples under microscopes and help decide the best treatment.

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Top skills for oral surgeons

Becoming an oral surgeon means you need some specific skills to be really good at your job. Here are the top ones that will help you succeed:

Solid technical skills

You’ll need to be a pro at using all kinds of tools and equipment for surgery. This means having steady hands and being super precise so that every procedure goes perfectly.

Critical thinking

You have to be a quick thinker! Oral surgeons often face complex problems and need to figure out the best way to fix them fast. Whether it’s deciding on the right surgery or handling unexpected issues during a procedure, thinking on your feet is crucial.

Communication and people skills

Being able to talk clearly and kindly to patients and their families is super important. You need to explain medical stuff in a way that’s easy to understand and help everyone feel less nervous. Also, working well with other doctors and nurses is a must.

Physical stamina

Surgeries can last a long time, so you need to be able to stand and focus for hours without getting tired. Plus, your job might have some long days and weird hours, so being physically fit helps a lot.

Eagerness to keep learning

Medicine is always changing and getting better, so you have to keep learning new things. Staying up-to-date with the latest surgery techniques and tools will make sure you’re always ready to provide the best care.

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Oral surgeon career path options

Choosing a career as an oral surgeon opens up several exciting paths where you can really make your mark. Here are some awesome ways you can grow in your career:

Academia and research

If you love teaching and discovering new things, academia might be your jam. You could teach future dental students all the tricks of the trade or dive into research to come up with new ways to improve oral health. Being a part of developing new surgical methods or studying dental health can be super rewarding.

Specialize further

Oral surgery already sounds pretty specialized, right? But you can dive even deeper! Whether it’s working on faces and skulls in craniofacial surgery, fixing smiles with reconstructive surgery, or focusing on kids as a pediatric oral surgeon, specializing lets you become a super expert in one area.

Take on administrative roles

If leading and managing sound like your thing, there are lots of administrative roles that could use your expertise. Whether it’s running a department, managing a dental school program, or even leading a hospital, these roles let you shape policies and practices that affect lots of patients and staff.

Run your own practice

Fancy being your own boss? Running your own practice is the ultimate way to control your career. You get to set your hours, pick your team, and decide exactly how you want to treat your patients. It’s a big challenge but also super satisfying to run a business that helps people every day.

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Similar job titles

• Dentist
• Orthodontist
• Dental Assistant
• Dental Hygienist

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Position trends and outlook for oral surgeons

The future looks bright for oral surgeons! Here’s why more people are going to need experts like them:

• Growing demand for expert care: As more people pay attention to their dental health, they’re looking for specialized treatments for complex issues—exactly what oral surgeons are trained for. Whether it’s tricky surgeries or advanced treatments, their skills are in high demand.
• Health needs across all ages: Everyone from kids to older adults might need oral surgery for different reasons. This wide range of needs means their skills will always be needed.
• Tech-savvy treatments: Technology is changing everything, including oral surgery. From cool tools like 3D imaging to precise laser surgeries, these advances make treatments better and safer.

Employment projections

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for oral surgeons are expected to grow by 6% through 2031. That’s faster than a lot of other jobs! This growth is driven by more people wanting better dental care, more people living longer, and a greater understanding of how important dental health is to overall health.

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Oral surgeon career tips

Master the basics and beyond

Being an oral surgeon isn’t just about pulling teeth. It involves understanding complex diseases that affect the mouth, face, and neck. Make sure you know all about oral pathology, how to control pain, and the latest in surgical procedures. Also, get comfortable with new technology and equipment—that’s what keeps you ahead in this field.

Choose a specialty

Think about focusing on a specific area like cosmetic surgery, reconstructive surgery, or working with dental implants. Specializing helps you become an expert in that area, which can really boost your career and attract patients who need specialized care.

Never stop learning

Oral surgery keeps evolving, so staying updated through continuous education is crucial. Here’s how you can keep learning:

• Take advanced courses or workshops
• Go to seminars and conferences
• Keep up with the latest research by reading professional journals and books
• Join associations like the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons or the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons for extra resources and networking

Get certified

Board certification is a big plus. It not only enhances your reputation but also shows that you’re serious about providing the best care. The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is one place to get certified.

Embrace technology

Using the latest tech can really improve how you care for patients. Things like 3D imaging and computer-guided surgery make treatments safer and more effective. Plus, they can make your practice stand out.

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FAQs