Oral surgeons are dentists with specialized training in surgical procedures.
The specialty began because of a need to train dentists to work on serious
cases that could turn fatal because of infection. There was also a need for
dentists to work on cases caused by traumatic injuries.
People who work in oral surgery are often called oral and maxillofacial
surgeons. "Oral surgery has to do with dentistry and with problems within
the mouth," says Jack Klatell. He is a professor and chair of the department
of dentistry at Mount Sinai in New York.
"Maxillofacial is the medical side and deals with the jaw, facial bones
and with surgery needed to remove cancer."
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons correct facial deformities such as cleft
palates (a split in the roof of the mouth). They do reconstructive jaw work
for people in accidents. They also do surgery on the face and neck of cancer
patients to remove tumors.
Oral surgeons work in hospitals. "Some work in private offices outside
the hospital as well," says Klatell. Others work for universities in teaching
and research positions.
Oral surgeons can work regular office hours. However, they may be on call
to perform surgery on emergency cases. The hours spent in surgery can also
be long.
As you might guess, oral surgeons work in small areas doing precision work.
They must have excellent manual dexterity and good visual memories.