why is OMFS so competitive?

[iLuvDAT]

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I understand that OMFS residents are trained to perform a wide range ofsurgical procedures, but in real world, most of oral surgeons choose to stick with third molar extractions and implants because it does not make sense to do hospital based surgeries financially. So why would someone spend 6 years to learn something that they would never intend to do after residency? Is it about status or money?

 

[Regmata]

Whether or not money is everyone's draw, any field that pays as much as oral surgery will be competitive.

 

[armorshell]

So why would someone spend 6 years to learn something that they would never intend to do after residency? Is it about status or money?

I ask myself this same question every day, especially since there are many 4 year programs available.

 

[Regmata]

Slightly different paradigm...if I were to go the surgery route, I would do the year. I would prefer to approach treatment from both a dental and medical perspective. Also, the MDs can do a bit more...although, the extra 2 years would be primarily for my own personal satisfaction. I once worked with 2 oral surgeons, one of which completed a 4 year, the other a 6 year. They were partners and both acknowledged the difference. Neither one placed more value on their respective degrees, they just said that they approach their jobs a bit differently. To each his/her own I guess.

 

[iLuvDAT]

not to be a troll, can't people get enough experience and practice of thirds and implants from CE courses? is 4/6 year training overkill for these two procedures?

 

[Regmata]

You are not being a troll, you just have no idea what an OMFS actually does/can do...as you progress throughout your career, you will learn more about it and also about why GPs refer out some extractions.

 

[armorshell]

There's certainly no reason why a GP shouldn't take out thirds and place implants, but with the amount of training you're going to get from CE, case selection becomes important. Do them, but know when to refer.

 

[12YearOldKid]

not to be a troll, can't people get enough experience and practice of thirds and implants from CE courses? is 4/6 year training overkill for these two procedures?

Absolutely not. In my opinion, oral surgery training is the MOST justified of all the dental specialties. I do thirds, but there are plenty of cases that I wouldn't touch with 10 foot pole. It's not that I couldn't easily get the teeth out if everything goes well, it's because I am not prepared to deal with complications when things go wrong.

 

[briansle]

I think Oral Surgery is popular because its the peak ; the limit of the dental profession. All competitive people want to push themselves to the very end and see how far they can go. Its the same reason people risk their lives to climb Mt Everest.

 

[polskasila]

most of oral surgeons choose to stick with third molar extractions and implants because it does not make sense to do hospital based surgeries financially.

Why is this the case?

I heard somewhere that traditional MD surgeons dont like oral surgeons performing these procedures especially plastic surgery.

Excuse my ignorance in this matter; I really appreciate someone shining light on this for me.

Thanks

 

[1992Corolla]

Also, the MDs can do a bit more...although, the extra 2 years would be primarily for my own personal satisfaction.

Not true. Both are allowed of doing any oral surgical experiance. MD or not. Whether they have been trained in the procedure is another matter and this depends on which hospital you go to.