Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are required to earn a degree and obtain a license to practice in their state.
But some surgeons, including those at Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, go a step further and become board-certified. Board certification signifies both professional expertise and a commitment to upholding the highest standards of patient care.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Training
On the path to becoming board-certified, oral surgeons complete a great deal of education and training. For most, this includes:
- Two to four years of undergraduate studies in a bachelor’s degree program
- Three to four years of dental school to earn a degree as a doctor of dental medicine (DDM) or a doctor of dental surgery (DDS)
- Four to six years of hospital-based training in anesthesiology, internal and emergency medicine, general surgery and the treatment of disorders, diseases, injuries and irregularities involving the mouth, jaw and facial structures
How Surgeons Obtain Board Certification
After completing the necessary education and training, surgeons can pursue board certification. Those who pass the required examinations and the meticulous peer evaluation process become board-certified through the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS).
Surgeons who take the time to develop expertise in surgical subspecialties can have their efforts recognized with board certification. The board-certified professionals at ROMS specialize in:
- Wisdom teeth removal
- Impacted canine treatment
- Dental implant placement
- Bone grafting surgery
- Oral pathology treatment
- Facial trauma repair
- Corrective jaw surgery
- TMJ disorder treatment
- Congenital defect repair
- Platelet-rich plasma therapy
- Sleep apnea treatment
Continuing Education for Board-Certified Surgeons
After oral and maxillofacial surgeons obtain board certification, the ABOMS verifies their competency and expertise through a comprehensive continuing education program. Meeting the requirements of this program, called Certification Maintenance, ensures lifelong learning and proficiency in current clinical practices.
As a patient, you want a board-certified surgeon who fulfills the continuing education requirements of the ABOMS. Ongoing learning through seminars, lectures, special courses, national meetings, panels, symposiums and self-assessment tools establishes a solid understanding of the latest surgical techniques and ABOMS recommendations on patient care.
The surgeons here at Richmond Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery have board certification, but not all oral surgery practices in the greater east central Indiana area can make the same claim.
Our surgical team has the skill, qualifications and experience to safely administer all forms of anesthesia and to successfully complete a wide range of routine and complex procedures. We use advanced 3-D facial imaging to diagnose conditions and precisely plan surgical treatments. And unlike other oral surgery practices in the Richmond area, we offer platelet-rich plasma to expedite healing.
Trust your care to the board-certified professionals at ROMS. Contact us to schedule an oral and maxillofacial surgeon consultation today.