Reality Check: Why are there so many posts on SDN about OMFS specifically?

[SV7855]

I think this might be an elephant in the room that doesn't get talked about in real terms... out of all the dental specialties and general practice, what is it about OMFS that generates so much buzz on SDN?

My thought is the following and I'd love to hear opposing viewpoints or start a discussion: Dental students yearn to become oral surgeons because it is supposedly the highest paying specialty, it gives them a chance to flex on their classmates and future colleagues because it is a symbol of prestige, and it's the closest a dentist can come to being a "real doctor", which many dental students have a complex about.

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[rotichawal]

Money/prestige aside, OMFS has more barriers to entry than any other specialty so there is naturally more discussion on these threads for prospective applicants. The "real doctor" thing may be a naive dental student thing, I don't think anyone cares about that in residency or practice. Spend a day with a physician, you'll figure out pretty quickly the only thing they know about teeth is that they exist.

 

[DrMarioRobles]

If you're referring to becoming a physician when you mention a "real doctor," I disagree. Gaining admission to dental school is just as challenging as medical school. While financial considerations play a role, choosing to specialize in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) often stems from personal calling. Some prefer the hospital environment and surgeries, while others favor the structured routine of a dental office. The focus should be on excellence in one's profession and delivering quality patient care, rather than flaunting titles.

 

[Ivy.ch]

Agree with above. I think it’s the speciality that requires the most planning and studying to get accepted, so naturally, potential applicants seek out advice.

 

[axiumgod]

Because it’s cool and surgery is bad a**

 

[yappy]

I see more posts from oral surgery residents than any other specialty. In that sense, it’s kind of a self licking ice cream cone. Why is that the case? I do not know.

 

[stealyoface]

Why is it an elephant in the room? Biased opinion but I believe OMFS is the coolest specialty in medicine and dentistry and a lot of people are attracted to that. As someone else said, the barrier to entry is tremendously higher than every other dental speciality so naturally that creates discussion online to maximize chances of matching. Who cares what’s most talked about though just do what makes you happy

 

[Allsmiles!]

I also think it’s because OMFS is broad in scope…from simple to very complex OR surgical procedures…the sky is the limit, especially if you add on a fellowship. Overall, OMFS is a fascinating specialty and that generates a lot interest…and of course, as with most things in life, one or two haters.

 

[DocMon16]

Everything listed above are great points. The whole idea of becoming an OMFS because it’s the closest thing to a “real” doctor is quite laughable, especially at this point in my training. I will add at this point, I could care less if people look at me as a “real” or not “real” doctor all they want. At the end of the day, I know what I’ve accomplished in my training and what I can and can’t do, that’s all that matters to me.

I do think OMFS does have the broadest scope of practice and allows you to have the widest scope of lifestyle too. We get paid well..but so do other specialties and GPs. Some of my best friends are GPs are do very well for themselves and didn’t have to go through another 4-6+ years of training.

 

[SV7855]

If you're referring to becoming a physician when you mention a "real doctor," I disagree. Gaining admission to dental school is just as challenging as medical school. While financial considerations play a role, choosing to specialize in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) often stems from personal calling. Some prefer the hospital environment and surgeries, while others favor the structured routine of a dental office. The focus should be on excellence in one's profession and delivering quality patient care, rather than flaunting titles.

Well the idea that specialization shouldn't be about flaunting titles was kind of my point. I get the impression on SDN that people want to pretend that pursuing OMFS is about following one's interest, but I am a little skeptical. There are many interesting facets of the dental field and it just makes more sense to me that people are chasing OMFS because it's considered the most prestigious specialty and not because of the procedure mix. Anyone who knows anything about the hospital environment would seek to avoid it in my view as well.

 

[SV7855]

I also think it’s because OMFS is broad in scope…from simple to very complex OR surgical procedures…the sky is the limit, especially if you add on a fellowship. Overall, OMFS is a fascinating specialty and that generates a lot interest…and of course, as with most things in life, one or two haters.

I'd argue being a GP is the most broad scope dental occupation. Most OMFS I know pull thirds and slam implants all day. Most don't work in a hospital because it's not profitable for them.

 

[rotichawal]

people are chasing OMFS because it's considered the most prestigious specialty and not because of the procedure mix

From the outside, I can see how you would think that. The reality is that the process to become an OMFS is too difficult to be motivated by prestige alone and you do need to truly love the work at some level to get yourself through.

Most OMFS I know pull thirds and slam implants all day

Voluntarily limiting one’s scope doesn’t mean that the scope of the profession is narrow.

 

[SV7855]

From the outside, I can see how you would think that. The reality is that the process to become an OMFS is too difficult to be motivated by prestige alone and you do need to truly love the work at some level to get yourself through.



Voluntarily limiting one’s scope doesn’t mean that the scope of the profession is narrow.

I don't know if this point has any merit either way. I don't think OMFS has a broader scope than a GP, almost by definition. OMFS is called a specialty for a reason.

Becoming an OMFS is extremely difficult and time-consuming I agree. However, dental students seem to be enamored with it on SDN. I think it's possible that they are interested in it for prestige because talk is cheap and the future always seems far away. My suspicion remains that young dental students love the idea of OMFS because of the prestige but most don't go that route when the time actually comes because reality sets in

 

[rotichawal]

I don't think OMFS has a broader scope than a GP, almost by definition

OMFS is a bit of an exception to other specialties in that many of the core procedures are entirely out of the scope of dentistry as a whole.

My suspicion remains that young dental students love the idea of OMFS because of the prestige but most don't go that route when the time actually comes because reality sets in

That’s fair.

 

[Allsmiles!]

Well the idea that specialization shouldn't be about flaunting titles was kind of my point. I get the impression on SDN that people want to pretend that pursuing OMFS is about following one's interest, but I am a little skeptical. There are many interesting facets of the dental field and it just makes more sense to me that people are chasing OMFS because it's considered the most prestigious specialty and not because of the procedure mix. Anyone who knows anything about the hospital environment would seek to avoid it in my view as well.

Flaunting titles…unfortunately, people of all professions do this to include GPs, OMFS, etc. when I see it I tend to think something deeper is happening with that person. Being proud of one’s accomplishments is healthy but more than that, I see it as a negative and it’s unfortunate.

I am not sure I agree that people on SDN who are pursuing OMFS is pretending it is about their interest in doing OMFS? Does this only pertain to OMFS or all dental specialists? You would have to apply your same thinking to all specialties since they all require additional years of residency.

Prestige…what’s prestigious about OMFS? I’ll answer this one…nothing. But, seriously, I get your point. I’ll include the following, if that’s what you are chasing, at the end, it will be a mistake.

You mentioned if anyone knows about hospital environment would seek to avoid it…a lot of us on this thread are residents, and I would say I’m familiar with the hospital environment. I look forward to continue to do certain procedures in the OR once I’m done with residency (yes, I understand where OMFS makes most of their money).

I'd argue being a GP is the most broad scope dental occupation. Most OMFS I know pull thirds and slam implants all day. Most don't work in a hospital because it's not profitable for them.

GP being the broadest…what I’m referring to is that OMFS is broad in scope from simple to very complicated OR surgical procedures...you can’t say the same about GP…only because the scope and training is different.

The second part of this post…as you say it, “pull thirds and slam implants all day” I think it’s important to expand on this a bit so we can have a better perspective. You have to include questions like: How many in OMFS have PP and also hospital privileges? How many OMFS are BC and/or FACS? How many OMFS PP (groups) include a mandatory one day a week in the OR? How many OMFS work in a PP and part-time in an academic settings? How many work full-time in an academic settings? How many OMFS work strictly in hospital settings? Removing thirds and placing implants is actually one of the awesome parts of OMFS (these are some of the simple procedures I was referring to and lucrative).

This is similar for GPs and all dental specialists…actually, the same applies to a majority of MD specialists as well…we all have our own version of, “pull thirds and slam implants.” But to infer that GPs and all dental specialists, to include MD specialists, only do their version of, “pull thirds and slam implants” would be an inaccurate and not a true representation of everyone’s respective fields. I found that it’s an individual’s choice…and people go through phases…things ebb and flow…and how someone chooses to practice changes over the course of a career for various reasons.

 

[SV7855]

^ Good points, and by the way I didn't mean anything derogatory by saying many OMFS slam implants and shuck thirds. Even doing that is admirable and difficult. I just made the statement as a fact of life but nothing negative.