All About Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Position 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.

List of Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeon Job Duties

• 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.
• Provide emergency treatment of facial injuries including facial lacerations, intra-oral lacerations, and fractured facial bones.
• Treat snoring problems, using laser surgery.
• Perform minor cosmetic procedures, such as chin and cheekbone enhancements.
• Perform surgery on the mouth and jaws to treat conditions, such as cleft lip and palate and jaw growth problems.

Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeon Skills

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.

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

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

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.

Types of Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeon

• Resident Surgeon
• Resident Physician
• Surgeon Partner
• Owner Oral Surgeon
• Dental Surgeon

Job Outlook for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 6,800 jobs in the United States for Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeon. 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. There will be an estimated 300 positions for Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeon per year.

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.

Do Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Make A Lot Of Money?

The average yearly salary of an Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeon ranges between $61,570 and $208,000.

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 & Technology do Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons:

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

Becoming an Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeon

Individuals working as an Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeon have obtained the following education levels:

What work experience do I need to become an Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeon?

Where do Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Work?

Below are examples of industries where Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons work:

Related Careers

Those thinking about becoming an Oral or Maxillofacial Surgeon might also be interested in the following careers:

• Chiropractors

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

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

More about our data sources and methodologies.