Overview
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is involved in all aspects of the diagnosis and surgical care of the mouth, jaws, skull, face, head and neck, as well as associated structures and their reconstruction.
The aim of the specialty is to provide a comprehensive diagnostic and surgical service, often in a multidisciplinary manner, to our medical and dental colleagues for a defined anatomical area – the head and neck.
Oral and maxillofacial surgery in Ireland and the UK is a medical/surgical specialty requiring both medical and dental degrees, culminating in an appropriate qualification –Intercollegiate Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, FRCS (OMFS) and a Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training (CCST) from RCSI. All oral maxillofacial surgeons must also have a registrable dental qualification with the Dental Council of Ireland at the time of commencing Specialty Training.
Specialty trainees may choose to undergo further training during a two-year surgical fellowship in the following areas:
- Head and neck oncology – with extended reconstruction including microvascular cosmetic facial surgery
- Craniofacial and skull base surgery/paediatric maxillofacial surgery
- Cleft surgery