Oral Surgeon

Your Fit

Income

$217K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

5.0%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is an Oral Surgeon?

An Oral Surgeon, also known as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, is a specialized dentist who performs surgical procedures on the mouth, jaws, teeth, gums, neck, and head, including procedures such as tooth extractions and corrective jaw surgery. They also treat diseases, injuries, and defects of these areas.

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Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Oral Surgeon.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

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How much does an Oral Surgeon earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) is...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$88K per year	$212K per year	$217K per year	$400K per year	NA per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $169K above the national average.

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What does an Oral Surgeon do?

Work environment

Oral Surgeons work in various settings, including private practices, hospitals, and specialized clinics. Their work environment is highly sterile and typically involves sophisticated surgical equipment. They collaborate with other dental and medical professionals and may be required to work irregular hours, including on-call shifts for emergency surgeries.

Quick task list

Performs surgical procedures on the oral and maxillofacial regions.
Diagnoses and treats diseases, injuries, and defects of the mouth and jaws.
Administers anesthesia and provides care before, during, and after surgical procedures.
Collaborates with other healthcare professionals for comprehensive patient care.
Conducts research and stays up to date with advancements in oral surgery.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Dentoalveolar Surgery: Focuses on surgeries related to teeth and the alveolar bone, such as wisdom tooth extractions.
Orthognathic Surgery: Specializes in corrective jaw surgery to address jaw misalignment.
Craniofacial Surgery: Involves complex procedures on the skull, face, and jaw, often for congenital anomalies or trauma.
Cleft and Craniofacial Surgery: Specializes in treating cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial anomalies.
Oncologic Surgery: Focuses on treating cancers of the mouth and face.

Description

Oral Surgeons play a critical role in providing advanced dental care. Their work extends beyond general dentistry to include complex surgical procedures that require a high level of expertise. They must be proficient in various surgical techniques and in managing anesthesia. Oral Surgeons need to have excellent manual dexterity, precision, and the ability to focus for long periods.

The profession demands a deep understanding of oral and facial anatomy, pathology, and radiology. Oral Surgeons are also responsible for managing patients' post-operative care and possible complications arising from surgery. Their role involves not only technical surgical skills but also good patient management and communication skills to explain procedures and provide reassurance.

Oral surgery is a demanding field, both physically and mentally, but it is also one of the most highly regarded specializations in dentistry. It offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on patients' lives, whether it's improving their appearance, speech, ability to eat, or overall health.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Transforming patients' lives through surgical procedures.
The intellectual challenge and technical skill involved in complex surgeries.
High respect and status in the medical and dental community.
Continuous learning and advancement in surgical techniques.

You might make a good Oral Surgeon if you are...

Interested in surgery and have a strong aptitude for science and anatomy.
Detail-oriented with excellent hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity.
Able to make quick decisions and remain calm under pressure.
Compassionate and capable of providing reassurance and clear explanations to patients.
Dedicated and willing to commit to many years of education and training.

Pros:

High level of professional satisfaction from improving patient health and appearance.
Financially rewarding career with high earning potential.
Prestige and recognition in the field of specialized medicine.

Cons:

Extremely long and demanding educational pathway.
High levels of stress and responsibility, particularly during complex surgeries.
Potentially long and irregular working hours, including on-call duties.

How to become an Oral Surgeon

Typical education

Becoming an Oral Surgeon requires extensive education: a 4-year undergraduate degree, a 4-year dental degree (DMD or DDS), followed by a 4-6 year residency program in oral and maxillofacial surgery. This totals approximately 12-14 years of post-secondary education.

High school preparation

Courses:

Advanced sciences, especially biology and chemistry, to build a strong foundation.
Mathematics for developing analytical and problem-solving skills.
Health or anatomy classes to gain basic knowledge of the human body.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering at dental clinics or hospitals to gain exposure to healthcare.
Shadowing an oral surgeon or dentist to understand the profession.
Participating in science clubs or fairs to deepen scientific knowledge and inquiry.

Preparation after high school

Completing a bachelor's degree with a strong emphasis on pre-dental or pre-medical courses.
Attending dental school to obtain a DDS or DMD degree.
Completing a residency program in oral and max illofacial surgery.
Obtaining licensure and possibly board certification in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

More resources

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) - Professional organization providing resources and education for oral surgeons.
American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - Information on board certification in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - A scientific journal featuring the latest research in the field.
Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology - A journal offering comprehensive coverage of the field.

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