Oral Surgeons

Employment for dentists, including oral and maxillofacial surgeons, is expected to grow by 5 percent through 2033, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). This is about as fast as the average for all careers. The DOL says that there will be increased demand for oral surgeons and related professionals due to the growing population of older people who require dental work. They will also be needed to "treat dentofacial injuries and other conditions as well as to perform restorative procedures to treat complications from oral disease, such as gum disease and oral cancer." Although the employment outlook in oral and maxillofacial surgery is good, the field is small. Only 4,800 oral and maxillofacial surgeons are employed in the United States and only 200 new jobs will be created through 2033. Other positions will become open as surgeons retire or leave the field for other reasons.