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Oral Surgeons

Education and Training Requirements

High School

Since it takes many years of postsecondary training to become a surgeon, you should take a college preparatory curriculum in high school. Take as many science—especially biology, chemistry, and anatomy and physiology—classes as possible. Speech and English classes will help you to develop your communication skills. Learning a foreign language—such as Spanish—will come in handy if you treat patients who are not fluent in English. If you plan to open your own practice, classes in business, computer science, mathematics, and marketing will be useful.  

Postsecondary Education

Dental schools require applicants to have at least two years of college-level pre-dental education. However, it’s estimated that 85 percent of students entering dental schools have a bachelor’s degree. According to the American Dental Education Association, dental schools often selected candidates for admission who possess:

  • Two semesters (three quarters) of biology with lab
  • Two semesters (three quarters) of general chemistry with lab
  • Two semesters (three quarters) of organic chemistry with lab
  • Two semesters (three quarters) of physics with lab.

Some schools also require additional courses, such as English composition and upper-level biology courses, including microbiology, biochemistry, and anatomy and physiology.

All dental schools approved by the American Dental Association (ADO) require applicants to pass the Dental Admissions Test, which gauges a student’s prospects of success or failure in dental school. You can learn more about the test at http://www.ada.org/en/education-careers/dental-admission-test.

Dental school typically last four years, and generally the degree of doctor of dental surgery (D.D.S.) is granted upon graduation, although some schools give the degree of doctor of dental medicine (D.D.M. or D.M.D.).

Those who are planning to become oral and maxillofacial surgeons must complete a postgraduate residency that typically takes four to six years, and which may result in candidates earning a joint medical degree. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) says that “residencies are rigorous. They require many dedicated hours in surgery, on rounds, in the clinic and in lectures. Residents frequently work long hours and are on call in the emergency room for maxillofacial trauma cases.” After they complete their residency, some oral and maxillofacial surgeons participate in fellowships or postdoctoral degree programs to expand their knowledge and skills in a particular area of interest.

The AAOMS offers a list of accredited advanced training programs in oral and maxillofacial surgery at https://www.aaoms.org/education-research/education-training/accredited-advanced-education-program-in-oms.

Other Education or Training

The AAOMS, ADO, International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and other professional dental associations offer workshops, webinars, seminars, and other learning opportunities that help members keep their skills up to date. Contact these organizations for more information.