Maxillofacial Training is No Longer than Other Surgical Specialties

Abstract

INTRODUCTION There is a perception that the training pathway for oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) is unduly long and arduous, as consultant oral and maxillofacial surgeons must be doubly qualified (that is, hold degrees in medicine and dentistry) and be holders of two higher fellowships. MATERIALS AND METHODS We reviewed the data regarding the average age of National Training Number (NTN) holders and GMC data on the year of first registration and the year of entry onto a specialist surgical list for all 9 surgical specialties. RESULTS The results showed the average age of the surgical SpR populations ranged from 33.5 to 38.2 years with an average age of 36.14 years. OMFS SpR's average age is 37.69 years. The GMC data showed the average number of months from full to specialist registration ranged from 90.83 months to 135.24 months, with OMFS surgeons having the lowest average. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that OMFS surgeons are of a similar age to other surgeons whilst in training. In addition, they have the shortest transit time between full GMC registration and entry onto the specialist list. The length of this training even with dual qualification is similar to other surgical specialties.

Can I be a student again? How medical graduates make the decision to return to dental school prior to a career in oral and maxillofacial surgery

“…Interestingly, previous data have found that the age at which OMFS trainees achieve their consultant posts is not greater than other surgical specialties . Despite this, trainees maintain their reservations regarding training time.…”

Oral maxillofacial training: Opinions of trainees and specialists in Turkey

“…A model implemented in the USA where, while 4-year residency programs in OMS grant a certificate of specialty, 6 years residency programs grant the specialty certificate as well as a medical degree (additional 2 years for acquiring medical degree), this may also be tailored to Turkish education system. The British system where shortened medical degrees, which take 3-4 years are available for holders of a dental degree in the UK may also be the other alternative [17].…”

Academic background of oral and maxillofacial specialty trainees in the United Kingdom

“…However, it has been noted that training in OMFS is no longer than other surgical specialties. 3 Yet, Modernising Medical Careers has reduced the time spent in basic surgical training from an average of 30 months to 12 months. 4 Indeed much of the curricula relating to postgraduate dental training will have been covered in part during the postgraduate foundation, general surgical, and oral and maxillofacial surgery training.…”