Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
SOC Code: 29-1022Also known as:
Dental Surgeon, Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Maxillofacial Surgeon, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (OMS), Oral Surgeon
Median Annual Salary
N/A
+4.1% growth (2024-2034)
200
Openings/Year
6K
Current Jobs
What Oral and maxillofacial surgeons Do
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.
💰 Salary
N/A
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+4.1%
Faster than average
🎓 Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
200
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Internship/residency
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
6,100
Projected Employment (2034)
6,400
Related Careers
Dentists, general
$172,790 •
+4.1% growth
Prosthodontists
N/A •
+4.5% growth
Ophthalmologists, except pediatric
N/A •
+4.3% growth
Orthopedic surgeons, except pediatric
N/A •
+4.1% growth
Pediatric surgeons
N/A •
+1.5% growth
Top Skills Required
Complex Problem Solving
Judgment and Decision Making
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Active Listening
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Administer general and local anesthetics.
- Collaborate with other professionals, such as restorative dentists and orthodontists, to plan treatment.
- Evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth to determine whether problems exist currently or might occur in the future.
- Perform surgery to prepare the mouth for dental implants and to aid in the regeneration of deficient bone and gum tissues.
- Remove impacted, damaged, and non-restorable teeth.
- Treat infections of the oral cavity, salivary glands, jaws, and neck.
- Remove tumors and other abnormal growths of the oral and facial regions, using surgical instruments.
- 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.
- Restore form and function by moving skin, bone, nerves, and other tissues from other parts of the body to reconstruct the jaws and face.
📚 Entry-Level Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Post-Doctoral Training
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a oral and maxillofacial surgeons:
Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery
41 degrees awarded •
13 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become oral and maxillofacial surgeons.
| # | College | Location | Related Degrees | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston University | Boston, MA | 4 | A |
| 2 | University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | 3 | A |
| 3 | Tufts University | Medford, MA | 2 | A |
| 4 | University of Minnesota-Twin Cities | Minneapolis, MN | 3 | B+ |
| 5 | Texas A & M University-College Station | College Station, TX | 3 | B+ |
| 6 | Case Western Reserve University | Cleveland, OH | 3 | B+ |
| 7 | University at Buffalo | Buffalo, NY | 2 | B |
| 8 | Temple University | Philadelphia, PA | 1 | B |
| 9 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston | Houston, TX | 6 | C+ |
| 10 | Loma Linda University | Loma Linda, CA | 4 | C+ |
| 11 | The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio | San Antonio, TX | 3 | C+ |
| 12 | Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 3 | C+ |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do oral and maxillofacial surgeons make?
The median annual salary for oral and maxillofacial surgeons is N/A.
What education do oral and maxillofacial surgeons need?
Most oral and maxillofacial surgeons positions require a doctoral or professional degree.
Common degree programs include Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery.
Is becoming oral and maxillofacial surgeons a good career choice?
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons is projected to see +4.1% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is about average for all occupations. With approximately 200 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for oral and maxillofacial surgeons?
Top colleges for aspiring oral and maxillofacial surgeons include
Boston University, University of Southern California, Tufts University, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Texas A & M University-College Station.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to oral and maxillofacial surgeons?
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons may also be known as: Dental Surgeon, Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Maxillofacial Surgeon, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (OMS), Oral Surgeon, Surgeon.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.