Practicing OMFS under Medical License

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Aphid

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Hi All,

I am a current dual degree OMFS resident. I was wondering if anyone has insight into practicing as an OMFS under a medical license in a state where a practitioner is unable to obtain a dental license. Over the years, I have heard rumors about oral surgeons that are able to do this. How does it work with billing dental insurance? And how does obtaining a sedation permit work when the applications are through the dental boards?

I am interested in a couple of opportunities in states where I would not be able to obtain a dental license but would be able to acquire a MD license. I would also appreciate it if anyone know of any resources that I could reach out to regarding the specifics of this.

Thank you!
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Not a wise decision. Ask your attendings for advice.
 
You cannot bill dental codes without a dental license
 
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Aphid said:
I am interested in a couple of opportunities in states where I would not be able to obtain a dental license but would be able to acquire a MD license.
Click to expand...

Which states and why? I've never heard of this before.
 
I graduated from a Canadian dental school and did not take any regional clinical board exams which most states require. I am completing my Omfs residency in the US so I will be able to work in NY and a couple of other states that grant licensure by residency.
 
If you have never looked at an ADA claim form, you have to enter your dental license number to complete the form. I have read many times that we as dentists can bill medical insurance despite not having a medical license. I have never read the reverse, that MDs can bill dental without a dental license. The only solutions I can think of are to practice for 5 years and try to apply with licensure by credential. Or call the board of the state where you want to practice and plead directly to them. Who knows, maybe if it's an underserved area or something, they will work with you and the Canadian credentials you do have. Otherwise, get out your high speed and start practicing your crown preps and take a regional board. It can be done. I took the DE boards after having been in ortho for 7 years. It's like riding a bike, sort of. I did have to get some extracted teeth and typodont teeth to practice the exact procedures they tested.
 
Cash Only for 3rds and Implants
Bill medical for sedations, benign path clinic procedures, preprosthethic, orthognathic, cosmetic, and trauma. Or consider being full time faculty somewhere.

Almost definitely wouldn’t be sustainable...but I too have heard these rumors of MD only OMFS.
 
Sublimazing said:
Cash Only for 3rds and Implants
Bill medical for sedations, benign path clinic procedures, preprosthethic, orthognathic, cosmetic, and trauma. Or consider being full time faculty somewhere.

Almost definitely wouldn’t be sustainable...but I too have heard these rumors of MD only OMFS.
Click to expand...
Does it make a difference how you get paid? You’d still have to bill a code, right? I would think that 3rds and implants wouldn’t fall under medicine unless there is a medical billing code for it.
I’m not familiar so I’m purely speculating here. I just don’t think it would be worth the risk after all those years of training and education.
 
schmoob said:
Does it make a difference how you get paid? You’d still have to bill a code, right? I would think that 3rds and implants wouldn’t fall under medicine unless there is a medical billing code for it.
I’m not familiar so I’m purely speculating here. I just don’t think it would be worth the risk after all those years of training and education.
Click to expand...

If you accept cash-only you don’t have to submit billing codes.

Also, there is a medical code for quite a few procedures an oral surgeon might do...including dental implants, ivcs, alveoloplasty, gingivectomy, and a generalized “dental alveolar code” you can use for extractions...but they probably only get approved for medical insurance if they’re the result of trauma or medical disease...and i’m sure it barely pays.
 
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Sublimazing said:
If you accept cash-only you don’t have to submit billing codes.

Also, there is a medical code for quite a few procedures an oral surgeon might do...including dental implants, ivcs, alveoloplasty, gingivectomy, and a generalized “dental alveolar code” you can use for extractions...but they probably only get approved for medical insurance if they’re the result of trauma or medical disease...and i’m sure it barely pays.
Click to expand...
I did not know that. Appreciate it!
 
You also need to consider your malpractice insurance. Does OMSNIC make you have a dental license?
 
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gryffindor said:
If you have never looked at an ADA claim form, you have to enter your dental license number to complete the form. I have read many times that we as dentists can bill medical insurance despite not having a medical license. I have never read the reverse, that MDs can bill dental without a dental license. The only solutions I can think of are to practice for 5 years and try to apply with licensure by credential. Or call the board of the state where you want to practice and plead directly to them. Who knows, maybe if it's an underserved area or something, they will work with you and the Canadian credentials you do have. Otherwise, get out your high speed and start practicing your crown preps and take a regional board. It can be done. I took the DE boards after having been in ortho for 7 years. It's like riding a bike, sort of. I did have to get some extracted teeth and typodont teeth to practice the exact procedures they tested.
Click to expand...

I did my residency in DE, and have been doing OMFS since then, and cant get around the thought of doing the DE boards, I would love to head back, but am put off at having to re-take the dental boards.
 
PChemGrad said:
I did my residency in DE, and have been doing OMFS since then, and cant get around the thought of doing the DE boards, I would love to head back, but am put off at having to re-take the dental boards.
Click to expand...

It was a beast of an exam especially after being out for so many years. Do they still have the GPR requirement? Even as a specialist, I had to show that I completed a GPR.
 
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gryffindor said:
It was a beast of an exam especially after being out for so many years. Do they still have the GPR requirement? Even as a specialist, I had to show that I completed a GPR.
Click to expand...

I know the requirements are one of the following
-One year GPR
-Actively practicing in another state for 3+ years
-Completed 4+ years in a CODA-Approved specialty residency

I figure I am a Board Certified/licensed OMFS to practice why do I have to show I can do general dentistry when I wont be doing it. Yeah technically you have a dental license, but its not what we do.
So i haven't gone back and taken the test, even with the hassles of finding patients, equipment, etc.
 
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