Oral and maxillofacial surgeons perform surgeries on the face, mouth and jaw. These professionals are dentists with at least four years of additional surgery training, so they can do everything from treating facial traumas to fixing cleft lips. They can diagnose and treat patients with head, neck and oral cancer. They can even administer anesthesia and perform cosmetic surgeries, such as face-lifts. But even though their specialty is specific, the technology used to treat and operate on the face, mouth and jaw is constantly evolving. "You have to have a commitment to lifelong learning," says Louis Rafetto, former president of the American Association of Maxillofacial Surgeons, chairman of the oral and maxillofacial residency program at Christiana Care Health Systems and a private practitioner in Wilmington, Delaware. In general, Rafetto says, "the surgeries will stay the same, but the way we do them will change." The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5.0% employment growth for oral and maxillofacial surgeons between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 200 jobs should open up.

Most oral and maxillofacial surgeons start their education process with a bachelor’s degree, taking courses in subjects such as general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, physics and English. 

A prospective oral and maxillofacial surgeon will also have to earn a good score on the Dental Admission Test. Dental school typically takes about four years, but specialists such as oral and maxillofacial surgeons need additional training, usually in the form of a multi-year residency.

These surgeons should also plan on obtaining certification through the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, which is the standard in this field. In order to maintain board certification, there are ongoing recertification and continuing education requirements. The continuing education is crucial because the purview of the profession is evolving. For instance, in years past, treating sleep apnea wasn’t really in the scope of an oral and maxillofacial surgeon; now, Rafetto says it is.