Specialist work in a primary care setting

Oral and maxillofacial surgery specialises in treating many diseases, injuries and defects in the head, neck, face, jaws and the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial (jaws and face) region. It is an internationally recognised surgical specialty.

In oral surgery there is evidence of reduced morbidity associated with increased experience and specialisation of surgery, and more appropriate prescription of mandibular third molar surgery by the oral surgeon.

To become a specialist surgeon, training in a residency or advanced graduate training programme is required. Once completed, the graduate is granted a certificate of specialty training and then she/he can choose to be placed on the General Dental Council’s Specialist register.