In the US, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is a dental specialty and thus, requires only the acquisition of a Bachelor’s dental degree before applying for training positions. The training scope varies significantly among different programs. Many programs put emphasis on oral surgery and implantology while others focus on a more extended scope that may include craniofacial trauma, congenital defects (craniofacial and cleft surgery), TMJ and head and neck oncologic surgery. Training duration is 4 to 6 years. Most training programs include 36-48 months n OMFS and rotations in general surgery, anesthesiology, plastic surgery and ENT.
Currently, there are 101 training programs, out of which 45 offer an in-training medical degree (MD) degree. These programs have a total duration of 6 years and offer both OMFS specialty certificate and a MD. The rest 56 training programs offer either a 4-year OMFS training certificate for dental qualified individuals (which is 100% equivalent to the MD/OMFS pathway in terms of professional rights), or an optional MD degree. Most programs do not require fees and offer a monthly stipend for residents. Besides clinical training there are research opportunities during training and presentations in national and international congresses are encouraged and supported by most departments.
The vast majority of training programs require a license to practice dentistry and/or a dental degree from a US institution and/or permanent residency proof (green card or visa). Non-US qualified dentists are not eligible for a dental license unless: i) they complete higher training in dentistry in the US (e.g. another dental specialty), ii) they complete a 2-year course for internationally trained dentists in the US. International trained dentists are not eligible for the 6 year MD/OMFS programs unless they acquire a US dental degree. However, a limited number of programs will consider internationally qualified dental graduates but they require applicants to sit the National Board of Dental Examination (NBDE) Part I and II before application. Some of them may also require or prefer doubly qualified applicants in dentistry and medicine (they applicants could also be asked to sit the US Medical Licensing Examination- USMLE).
Besides specialty training, there is a number of 1- or 2-year fellowships for OMFS surgeons including Head and Neck Oncology and Reconstruction, Craniofacial Surgery, Cosmetic surgery and Pediatric OMFS.
In general, OMFS in the US is on the verge between Medicine and Dentistry and thus, the training pathway can be very complicated for non-US graduates. Despite the profound difficulties, there are some opportunities for exceptional individuals. A small but significant number of Greeks and other Europeans has accomplished OMFS programs in the US. Post-residency training is more flexible and applicants for fellowship positions are more likely to be considered.
Further sources
Currently, there are 101 training programs, out of which 45 offer an in-training medical degree (MD) degree. These programs have a total duration of 6 years and offer both OMFS specialty certificate and a MD. The rest 56 training programs offer either a 4-year OMFS training certificate for dental qualified individuals (which is 100% equivalent to the MD/OMFS pathway in terms of professional rights), or an optional MD degree. Most programs do not require fees and offer a monthly stipend for residents. Besides clinical training there are research opportunities during training and presentations in national and international congresses are encouraged and supported by most departments.
The vast majority of training programs require a license to practice dentistry and/or a dental degree from a US institution and/or permanent residency proof (green card or visa). Non-US qualified dentists are not eligible for a dental license unless: i) they complete higher training in dentistry in the US (e.g. another dental specialty), ii) they complete a 2-year course for internationally trained dentists in the US. International trained dentists are not eligible for the 6 year MD/OMFS programs unless they acquire a US dental degree. However, a limited number of programs will consider internationally qualified dental graduates but they require applicants to sit the National Board of Dental Examination (NBDE) Part I and II before application. Some of them may also require or prefer doubly qualified applicants in dentistry and medicine (they applicants could also be asked to sit the US Medical Licensing Examination- USMLE).
Besides specialty training, there is a number of 1- or 2-year fellowships for OMFS surgeons including Head and Neck Oncology and Reconstruction, Craniofacial Surgery, Cosmetic surgery and Pediatric OMFS.
In general, OMFS in the US is on the verge between Medicine and Dentistry and thus, the training pathway can be very complicated for non-US graduates. Despite the profound difficulties, there are some opportunities for exceptional individuals. A small but significant number of Greeks and other Europeans has accomplished OMFS programs in the US. Post-residency training is more flexible and applicants for fellowship positions are more likely to be considered.
Further sources
- American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
- (https://www.aaoms.org/docs/education_research/edu_training/2017_aaomresidency_omsprogram.pdf)
- National Board of Dental Examinations (https://www.ada.org/en/jcnde/examinations/nbde-general-information )
- United States Medical Licensing Examinations (http://www.usmle.org/ )