Dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants all play important roles in the dental care team. While all three of these occupations offer rewarding careers with abundant job opportunities, they also share a common dilemma. The demand for their services is not keeping pace with consumers’ demand for them. To understand why this is the case and how you can enter this field regardless of these trends, read on. This article covers everything you need to know about becoming an oral surgeon. Factors that influence the demand for oral surgeons, as well as alternatives for entering this field. Also hear what Dr Chirag Chamria has to say!
Who is an oral surgeon?
An oral surgeon is a dentist who specialises in procedures that affect the face and mouth, such as the extraction of teeth, surgical removal of cysts and tumours, jaw realignment, and facial reconstructive surgery. In some cases, oral surgeons also prescribe medication. Oral surgeons are also trained in oral and maxillofacial pathology, which is the study of diseases.
They can diagnose and treat diseases in the mouth, such as gingivitis, infections, and oral and gum cancers. Like general dentists, oral surgeons can work in private practices, group practices, dental schools, or hospitals. They also earn a higher salary than general dentists ($139,000 per year versus $104,000 per year). However, owing to variety factors, the number of jobs for oral surgeons is expected to decline over the coming years.
Why the demand for oral surgeons is resin?
The main reason for the rise in the demand for oral surgeons is that the population is ageing. This leads to an increase in the number of patients with dental issues such as gum disease and tooth loss. As a result, general dentists are handling a more number of extractions, and dental hygienists and assistants are handling a greater number of cleanings. But trauma, alignments or even cancers are managed by oral surgeons.
Aim is to not to ‘Fight Cancer’; Rather ‘Reconstruct what is lost’
Dr Chirag Chamria
Because oral surgeons are expensive than dentists or dental hygienists, many patients are opting for second opinion from them before going in for full mouth rehabilitations. Also with the COVID pandemic, the entire arena of medical has shifted to more super-specialisations.
Oral Surgeon Scope in India
Since an Oral Surgeon is one of the primary doctor’s lists, Oral Surgeons are in huge demand. Those who love to keep their lives busy can work both as lecturers and Surgeons. Those who love the teaching profession can work as lecturers at universities and colleges pursuing Oral Surgery. As per Dr Chirag Chamria, “For us, excellence is our constant pursuit. Patients want immediate results & are no longer ready to hold back for days to restore their smile. We strive for nothing less than the mastery of this medium in which we have chosen to craft.”
Challenges as an Oral Surgeon
The scope is rapidly expanding and the future generations will have more scope in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. The only problem is that, most people do not that such a speciality exists. If they know it exists they know us as Dentists. Few people think that OMFS is a super speciality after General Surgery and many don’t know the wide range of services we provide. So it’s us who have to take the onus and tell people in hospitals about what services we can offer to patients.
Regarding the higher oppurtunities, an OMF Surgeon can opt to train in Orthognathic Surgery, Facial esthetic surgery, Oral Oncology, Implantology, Trauma, Head and Neck Oncology and Microvascular surgery, Cleft and Craniofacial surgery, TMJ surgeries etc. Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons’ of India (AOMSI) has already started fellowship programs in Orthognathic Surgery, Craniomaxillofacial trauma, and Oral and Maxillofacial Oncology.
Life after PG; Dr Chirag Chamria
It is a fact that immediately after finishing the post-graduate training, Maxillofacial Surgeons neither have a good financial package in corporate hospitals nor have a job security in the government hospitals. It takes time for an OMFS to settle down in life. But once settled and with surgical skills improved, one can only scale north. As far as academics in OMFS is concerned oppurtunities are not many, but talent always has its way.
As previously mentioned about the AOMSI fellowship program, AOMSI fellows are paid salary for 1 or 2 years of the fellowship program. This could be a better option for immediate passed outs; more training with some financial assistance. One has to clear an entrance exam though, the standard of which is high and the exam is conducted with high degree of transparency and honesty.
Various other platforms offer higher training after Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency program. Working in a good Maxillofacial unit after post-graduation helps improve the scope and surgical skills. It’s up to an individual to choose as to what path is correct for them and their career in OMF Surgery.
Conclusion
If you’re interested in a dental career, it’s important to understand the trends in the demand for each occupation. While the demand for oral surgeons is expected to decline, the demand for dental hygienists and dental assistants is expected to stay steady or increase in certain regions of the country. This information can help you decide what dental career is right for you. If you’re interested in pursuing a career as an oral surgeon, you need to know that the demand for this type of work is expected to decline over the coming years. If you’d like to pursue a dental career but aren’t sure which occupation is right for you.
