The Lifestyle of an OMFS?

[476515678234896]

I'm not sure if this is the right place for this thread but I can't seem to find too much literature on how oral and maxillofacial surgeon's lifestyle compares with traditional surgeons. I was wondering if any physicians who are or have worked with oral surgeons could talk about the similarities and differences of being an oral surgeon compared to the traditional ones.

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[Encephalectomy]

I was talking with an OMFS resident today and basically what he said was that the lifestyle in private practice can be very cushy. No call is a possibility and basically you take out people's wisdom teeth all day and bring home a good chunk of change. I don't know enough about OMFS or other surgical fields to really be certain, but my guess would be that it probably has a lifestyle that is even better than what most ENTs and Urologists have if you want it.

 

[-Goose-]

basically you take out people's wisdom teeth all day and bring home a good chunk of change.

Sounds like fun.

 

[476515678234896]

can one match into a residency spot w/o having done dental school?

 

[Winged Scapula]

can one match into a residency spot w/o having done dental school?

No.

 

[Guile]

I'm not sure if this is the right place for this thread but I can't seem to find too much literature on how oral and maxillofacial surgeon's lifestyle compares with traditional surgeons. I was wondering if any physicians who are or have worked with oral surgeons could talk about the similarities and differences of being an oral surgeon compared to the traditional ones.

I know of a few private practice guys who pull down over $800,000 per year. Endodontists make even more if that's what you're looking for. They also largely work 9-5, yanking out wisdom teeth. Some do facial trauma, TMJ repairs, and other more complex operations, but most just do easy outpatient office procedures and divide their time between multiple vacation homes.

 

[476515678234896]

I was talking with an OMFS resident today and basically what he said was that the lifestyle in private practice can be very cushy. No call is a possibility and basically you take out people's wisdom teeth all day and bring home a good chunk of change. I don't know enough about OMFS or other surgical fields to really be certain, but my guess would be that it probably has a lifestyle that is even better than what most ENTs and Urologists have if you want it.

I know of a few private practice guys who pull down over $800,000 per year. Endodontists make even more if that's what you're looking for. They also largely work 9-5, yanking out wisdom teeth. Some do facial trauma, TMJ repairs, and other more complex operations, but most just do easy outpatient office procedures and divide their time between multiple vacation homes.

that sounds awesome. MD (in most cases), the lifestyle of a dermatologist, and being an actual surgeon.

 

[Mr Cookie Pants]

I know of a few private practice guys who pull down over $800,000 per year. Endodontists make even more if that's what you're looking for. They also largely work 9-5, yanking out wisdom teeth. Some do facial trauma, TMJ repairs, and other more complex operations, but most just do easy outpatient office procedures and divide their time between multiple vacation homes.

that sounds awesome. MD (in most cases), the lifestyle of a dermatologist, and being an actual surgeon.

And in my opinion, these guys deserve every penny. I just finished M2 and the OMFS guys that are in our class started Dental school when I started undergrad. They're in school forever. They deserve it.

 

[Encephalectomy]

They might have a bit more time in the classroom, but their total training time is pretty much the same as any other surgeon.

 

[ESU_MD]

that sounds awesome. MD (in most cases), the lifestyle of a dermatologist, and being an actual surgeon.

the only problem:

they arent actually surgeons, they're dentists

 

[476515678234896]

the only problem:

they arent actually surgeons, they're dentists

why?

 

[ESU_MD]

If you want to be a surgeon, you have to go through surgical residency.

If you want to make a lot of money and have a good lifestyle and do a few minor procedures, then do an OMFS residency. Its probably alot more rewarding in the long run.

In my mind, having the right to call yourself a surgeon is alot more than scrubbing in to extract a few teeth or plate a broken jaw.
To me, its about being able to handle a sick patient and taking responsibility.

 

[Slack3r]

If you want to be a surgeon, you have to go through surgical residency.

Umm...perhaps you're misinformed how a OMFS residency works? It IS a surgical residency.

And in my opinion, these guys deserve every penny. I just finished M2 and the OMFS guys that are in our class started Dental school when I started undergrad. They're in school forever. They deserve it.

4 years dental school + 2 years med school + 4 years residency = 10 years.

Not much worse than some medical specialties.

 

[gary_ruska]

If you want to be a surgeon, you have to go through surgical residency.

If you want to make a lot of money and have a good lifestyle and do a few minor procedures, then do an OMFS residency. Its probably alot more rewarding in the long run.

In my mind, having the right to call yourself a surgeon is alot more than scrubbing in to extract a few teeth or plate a broken jaw.
To me, its about being able to handle a sick patient and taking responsibility.

Gary "You must be joking" Ruska here,

Agreed that being able to take care of critically ill patients and taking responsibility for their care is what makes one a good doctor. However, it does not a surgeon make.

Anyone who has done general surgery residency or a portion thereof at a major academic center has stories of community general surgeons who won't come into the ED in the middle of the night to see someone with free air because they "would be better treated at a tertiary care center". Are these practitioners not surgeons? No, they are still surgeons, despite their refusal to handle critically ill patients.

In addition, you must be early in your training to be so naive about the day-to-day practice of surgery. It's not all trauma, ex laps, Whipples and thoracotomies all day everyday. For the most part, surgical practice is relatively mundane, as each specialty has it's bread and butter and their share of the exciting stuff. The bread and butter for oral surgeons is wisdom teeth and implants; the exciting stuff is trauma surgery and facial reconstruction. Take any surgical specialty and you will see that there are similar trends. If you think that all surgeons are taking care of critically ill patients all day, everyday (or even most days) you need to really take a good look at practitioners in your specialty and what they do after they finish residency.

By your metric, most surgical subspecialists (ENT, PRS, Urology, etc.) would not be considered "true" surgeons. Fortunately, the ACS does not share your thoughts on what makes a surgeon and, to be frank, they probably are in a much better position to make such assessments.

Also, no idea where you got your paradigm of OMFS training from...it's at least 4 years and only a minority of that time is spent taking out teeth. Ask around.

 

[Leforte]

By your metric, most surgical subspecialists (ENT, PRS, Urology, etc.) would not be considered "true" surgeons.

I'd disagree with this statement. I take care of a lot of very sick patients. As do many of my PRS and urology colleagues.

That being said, OMFS trained surgeons are "real" surgeons. No different than ophthalmology or OB/GYN or other surgeons. Do they go through surgical residencies, operate on patients and manage them post-operatively - yes.

Indeed, the ACS recognizes oral surgery as a surgical residency - see the link below:
http://www.facs.org/medicalstudents/answer2.html

 

[PharmaTope]

I'm not sure if this is the right place for this thread but I can't seem to find too much literature on how oral and maxillofacial surgeon's lifestyle compares with traditional surgeons. I was wondering if any physicians who are or have worked with oral surgeons could talk about the similarities and differences of being an oral surgeon compared to the traditional ones.

seriously man u gotta decide if u want dental or medicine. you got a lot of threads like this going.

 

[476515678234896]

seriously man u gotta decide if u want dental or medicine. you got a lot of threads like this going.

Gary "You must be joking" Ruska here,

Agreed that being able to take care of critically ill patients and taking responsibility for their care is what makes one a good doctor. However, it does not a surgeon make.

Anyone who has done general surgery residency or a portion thereof at a major academic center has stories of community general surgeons who won't come into the ED in the middle of the night to see someone with free air because they "would be better treated at a tertiary care center". Are these practitioners not surgeons? No, they are still surgeons, despite their refusal to handle critically ill patients.

In addition, you must be early in your training to be so naive about the day-to-day practice of surgery. It's not all trauma, ex laps, Whipples and thoracotomies all day everyday. For the most part, surgical practice is relatively mundane, as each specialty has it's bread and butter and their share of the exciting stuff. The bread and butter for oral surgeons is wisdom teeth and implants; the exciting stuff is trauma surgery and facial reconstruction. Take any surgical specialty and you will see that there are similar trends. If you think that all surgeons are taking care of critically ill patients all day, everyday (or even most days) you need to really take a good look at practitioners in your specialty and what they do after they finish residency.

By your metric, most surgical subspecialists (ENT, PRS, Urology, etc.) would not be considered "true" surgeons. Fortunately, the ACS does not share your thoughts on what makes a surgeon and, to be frank, they probably are in a much better position to make such assessments.

Also, no idea where you got your paradigm of OMFS training from...it's at least 4 years and only a minority of that time is spent taking out teeth. Ask around.

Thanks for the post GR. I assume you're a OMS resident, would you mind weighing in on the original question?

 

[raptortheballer]

If you want to be a surgeon, you have to go through surgical residency.

If you want to make a lot of money and have a good lifestyle and do a few minor procedures, then do an OMFS residency. Its probably alot more rewarding in the long run.

In my mind, having the right to call yourself a surgeon is alot more than scrubbing in to extract a few teeth or plate a broken jaw.
To me, its about being able to handle a sick patient and taking responsibility.

They are called Oral Maxillofacial SURGEONS for a reason. Get over yourself.

 

[Wordead]

They're real surgeons. They're not real doctors. Their medical knowledge is weak on a good day.