Why do OMFS work in the OR?

[yorta]

I just learned recently that, compared to doing extractions and implants, OMFS who perform cleft, microvascular, craniofacial surgeries, etc., in the OR take a 40-70% pay cut hour by hour. So why do OMFS still love to do these procedures in the OR? Is it the intellectual and skill challenge that excites them and keeps boredom at bay? Is it the love of humanity and the spirit of service? Why would anyone choose to study two more years in residency and one more year in fellowship to be able to do procedures that pay them only a third of what they could earn in an OMFS clinic?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[SuxDrugs&Rocuronium]

I just learned recently that, compared to doing extractions and implants, OMFS who perform cleft, microvascular, craniofacial surgeries, etc., in the OR take a 40-70% pay cut hour by hour. So why do OMFS still love to do these procedures in the OR? Is it the intellectual and skill challenge that excites them and keeps boredom at bay? Is it the love of humanity and the spirit of service? Why would anyone choose to study two more years in residency and one more year in fellowship to be able to do procedures that pay them only a third of what they could earn in an OMFS clinic?

Maybe because money isn’t the only motivation. Many of the people that go into OMFS are interested and enjoy performing more complex surgical procedures, and in the OR they get to do things that they can’t do anywhere else. They also get the benefit of helping people who often are very sick and need life changing procedures (mandibles resections, LeForte/BSSO etc).

Also 4 year OMFS can do these bigger surgeries in a hospital OR, not just the 6 year/fellowship OMFS

 

[DumbIsh]

I just learned recently that, compared to doing extractions and implants, OMFS who perform cleft, microvascular, craniofacial surgeries, etc., in the OR take a 40-70% pay cut hour by hour. So why do OMFS still love to do these procedures in the OR? Is it the intellectual and skill challenge that excites them and keeps boredom at bay? Is it the love of humanity and the spirit of service? Why would anyone choose to study two more years in residency and one more year in fellowship to be able to do procedures that pay them only a third of what they could earn in an OMFS clinic?

Echoing the above, some do it purely for the love of the game. I know an OMFS who doesn’t do any teeth at all, strictly trauma. For some people anything past 300-400k isn’t changing their quality of life that drastically.

 

[deleted923283]

They make enough to be comfortable. They would rather do the interesting cases than make more money.

 

[odontogenesis]

Taking out teeth all day everyday for years on end gets old. You train as a surgeon, so many want to do interesting surgeries they were trained to do. I’d bet most private practice guys will tell you dentoalveolar becomes a blur that you don’t remember but all the big cases you add on you’ll remember for a long time. Gotta still have the intellectual stimulation too. No one sits around talking all the time about extracting thirds but you’ve got a big pan facial or flap case? that’s more fun to talk about

 

[yappy]

It is probably the same reason some people choose to work in academics versus private practice.

 

[OMSDoc]

I do it because the patients benefit from the care. It doesn’t pay well, but taking care of people is not a burden.