OMFS fellowship

[jiggapigga]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Anyone have anything to say about OMFS fellowship programs ? In terms of the amount of OR cases, scope, and role they may play?

 

[gary_ruska]

Anyone have anything to say about OMFS fellowship programs ? In terms of the amount of OR cases, scope, and role they may play?

Gary "Fellowship-Bound" Ruska here,

If you're asking about post-residency fellowships in OMFS, there are generally five broad fellowship options available to trained OMFS:

1. Pediatric Maxillofacial Surgery
2. Craniofacial Surgery
3. Maxillofacial Oncology/Reconstructive Surgery
4. Maxillofacial Cosmetic Surgery
5. Maxillofacial Trauma/Orthognathic/TMJ Surgery

Many of these fellowships are sponsored by AAOMS or the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation. If the fellowship is sponsored by the Foundation, there is usually an academic committment (2 years full-time or 5-years part-time, typically).

All OMFS fellowships are accredited by the CODA and ADA. There are specific guidelines for each fellowship in terms of the didactic and clinical competencies that must be achieved by the fellow (see attached file).

The following are some of the fellowships in various areas that GR is aware of - there are probably many more:

1. Pediatric Maxillofacial Surgery (MGH/Boston Children's Hospital, UCLA/Kaiser)
2. Craniofacial Surgery (UPitt, Georgetown)
3. Maxillofacial Oncology (Miami, Oregon, UMaryland, UCSF, UMKC)
4. Cosmetics (refer to AACS website http://www.cosmeticsurgery.org)
5. Trauma/TMJ (Emory), Orthognathics (Arnett in Santa Barbara)

 

[Squished Rat]

Ruska,

What type of fellowship are you looking at?

 

[GatorDMD]

1. Pediatric Maxillofacial Surgery (MGH/Boston Children's Hospital, UCLA/Kaiser, Tiggers Basement)
2. Craniofacial Surgery (UPitt, Georgetown)
3. Maxillofacial Oncology - Miami, Oregon (Total Head and Neck Oncology), UMaryland, UCSF, UMKC, Michigan(ACGME certified i hear), UF Jax(coming soon i hear from current resident and is suppose to be 2 years, LSU Shreveport)
4. Cosmetics (refer to AACS website http://www.cosmeticsurgery.org)
5. Trauma/TMJ (Emory), Orthognathics (Arnett in Santa Barbara)

 

[jiggapigga]

Anyone have any insight into if these fellowships are essentially an additional "chief" year..or are you considered an attending, to the residents, but has the privledge to be i guess some kinda super chief?
Do you get to pick and choose your cases? or are you going to have to do all the redundant ones too?...and i guess are the hours the same as a chief resident??..
I guess i'm curious as to the responsibilites of a fellow, as opposed to the fellowships available

 

[3rdmolarslayer]

for a cosmetic fellowship do they only take 6 yr? md prerequisite?

 

[gary_ruska]

for a cosmetic fellowship do they only take 6 yr? md prerequisite?

Gary "Here to answer your questions" Ruska here, to answer your questions:

For most cosmetics fellowships sponsored by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, the MD degree is a requirement. For some of the AAOMS ones (which may or may not be jointly sponsored by AACS), a single-degree surgeon may make the cut.

Bottom-line: most fellowships prefer dual-degree applicants - not necessarily because they are better trained that single-degree, but rather because most fellowships offer training in "expanded scope" procedures, for which an MD degree is very valuable in terms of getting hospital privileges.

 

[Bifid Uvula]

Gary "Here to answer your questions" Ruska here, to answer your questions:

For most cosmetics fellowships sponsored by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, the MD degree is a requirement. For some of the AAOMS ones (which may or may not be jointly sponsored by AACS), a single-degree surgeon may make the cut.

Bottom-line: most fellowships prefer dual-degree applicants - not necessarily because they are better trained that single-degree, but rather because most fellowships offer training in "expanded scope" procedures, for which an MD degree is very valuable in terms of getting hospital privileges.

Also regardless whether you have completed an additional cosmetic fellowship, the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery recognizes Single/Dual-Degree OMFS, dermatology, plastics, general surgeons and ophthalmologists that perform cosmetic procedures as eligible to take the written and oral boards for "fellowship status in the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery"

 

[scalpel2008]

Also regardless whether you have completed an additional cosmetic fellowship, the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery recognizes Single/Dual-Degree OMFS, dermatology, plastics, general surgeons and ophthalmologists that perform cosmetic procedures as eligible to take the written and oral boards for "fellowship status in the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery"

although to be board eligible for the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, you need to have an MD.

 

[Bifid Uvula]

although to be board eligible for the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, you need to have an MD.

You may know some additional details, but here is where I found my info...

This portion is from the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery website:

"All Fellows of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery are certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and/or have their initial board certification by one of the member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) such as the American Boards of Dermatology, Otolaryngology, Ophthalmology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Plastic Surgery. This provides some assurance of formal training in the fundamentals of cosmetic surgery. All of these specialty boards require at least four years of residency training in plastic and/or cosmetic surgical procedures and provide a solid base for the doctor's skills.

Many of these board-certified physicians will then go on to complete the requirements to undergo the rigorous oral and written testing and scrutiny to become board-certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, which has established a strict set of criteria to ensure experience and proficiency specifically in cosmetic surgery.


The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is the only certifying board exam devoted to examining a surgeon's skill in cosmetic surgery of the face and body. It is an independent sub-specialty board that examines and certifies physicians in general, facial and dermatological cosmetic surgery.

Eligibility requirements include:

Being certified in one of several ABMS Boards(including the American Board of Plastic Surgery, American Board of Surgery, American Board of Dermatologic Surgery, or the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery)
Completing an AACS-approved fellowship,
or
Being in practice a minimum of six years and having performed at least 1000 cosmetic surgery cases
Passing a stringent two-day oral and written examination
Being of good moral character
You can learn more about the ABCS and find physicians board-certified in cosmetic surgery at www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org. "

 

[gary_ruska]

You may know some additional details, but here is where I found my info...

This portion is from the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery website:

"All Fellows of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery are certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery and/or have their initial board certification by one of the member boards of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) such as the American Boards of Dermatology, Otolaryngology, Ophthalmology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Plastic Surgery. This provides some assurance of formal training in the fundamentals of cosmetic surgery. All of these specialty boards require at least four years of residency training in plastic and/or cosmetic surgical procedures and provide a solid base for the doctor's skills.

Many of these board-certified physicians will then go on to complete the requirements to undergo the rigorous oral and written testing and scrutiny to become board-certified by the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, which has established a strict set of criteria to ensure experience and proficiency specifically in cosmetic surgery.


The American Board of Cosmetic Surgery is the only certifying board exam devoted to examining a surgeon's skill in cosmetic surgery of the face and body. It is an independent sub-specialty board that examines and certifies physicians in general, facial and dermatological cosmetic surgery.

Eligibility requirements include:

Being certified in one of several ABMS Boards(including the American Board of Plastic Surgery, American Board of Surgery, American Board of Dermatologic Surgery, or the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery)
Completing an AACS-approved fellowship,
or
Being in practice a minimum of six years and having performed at least 1000 cosmetic surgery cases
Passing a stringent two-day oral and written examination
Being of good moral character
You can learn more about the ABCS and find physicians board-certified in cosmetic surgery at www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org. "

Gary "Saturday Morning Glory" Ruska Here,

An MD is required for board certification by the ABCS:

http://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/cert.php

Applicant must furnish proof of prior board certification by:
a) one of the following boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists of the American Osteopathic Association (BOS), or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC):

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Otolaryngology
General Surgery
Ophthalmology with completion of an American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Inc. (ASOPRS) approved Oculoplastic fellowship
Dermatology
- - - or - - -

b) The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) with M.D. degree.

 

[Bifid Uvula]

Gary "Saturday Morning Glory" Ruska Here,

An MD is required for board certification by the ABCS:

http://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/cert.php

Applicant must furnish proof of prior board certification by:
a) one of the following boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, the Bureau of Osteopathic Specialists of the American Osteopathic Association (BOS), or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC):

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Otolaryngology
General Surgery
Ophthalmology with completion of an American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Inc. (ASOPRS) approved Oculoplastic fellowship
Dermatology
- - - or - - -

b) The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) with M.D. degree.

Very well then... I stand Erected... errr, corrected.

 

[OMSWannabe]

Gary "Saturday Morning Glory" Ruska Here,

An MD is required for board certification by the ABCS:

http://www.americanboardcosmeticsurgery.org/cert.php

b) The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) with M.D. degree.

I heard that the MD part for an OMS was added only a few years ago, when an OMS with an MD was the society president

 

[scalpel2008]

I heard that the MD part for an OMS was added only a few years ago, when an OMS with an MD was the society president

the requirement probably has to do with the fact that cosmetic surgery is a subspecialty recognized by the AMA

 

[north2southOMFS]

the requirement probably has to do with the fact that cosmetic surgery is a subspecialty recognized by the AMA

Agreed. I'm with the space dude holding a lazer gun.

 

[scalpel2008]

Agreed. I'm with the space dude holding a lazer gun.

next time you see your cancer fellow ask him "why does space dude (caesar) always whoop osiris, especially with the rocket launcher?"

 

[esclavo]

Gary "Here to answer your questions" Ruska here, to answer your questions:

For most cosmetics fellowships sponsored by the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, the MD degree is a requirement. For some of the AAOMS ones (which may or may not be jointly sponsored by AACS), a single-degree surgeon may make the cut.

Bottom-line: most fellowships prefer dual-degree applicants - not necessarily because they are better trained that single-degree, but rather because most fellowships offer training in "expanded scope" procedures, for which an MD degree is very valuable in terms of getting hospital privileges.

The ironic thing is that the most invasive cosmetic procedure that one can perform in the head and neck is orthognathic surgery. I think it is funny that the AACS thinks that only MD's should be allowed into their club for all the little nips, injects, and tucks in the head and neck region while the most aggressive/invasive/technically challenging procedure in the head and neck with some of the best cosmetic results is actually owned by "dentists" 🙂