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Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery


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
Specialty Training Intake Guide - 2025 PDF | 650.6 KB

The spectrum of the specialty:

  • Cranial, facial and maxillofacial trauma (soft and hard tissues)
  • Cancer of the head and neck region and its reconstruction
  • The disease of the salivary glands
  • Surgical correction of facial disproportion – both congenital and acquired
  • Cleft lip and palate surgery
  • Facial pain
  • Disorders of the temporomandibular joint
  • Surgical removal of impacted and buried teeth, cysts and benign tumors of the jaws
  • Placement of osseointegrated dental and extra-oral implants
  • Management of infections of the head and neck, including life-threatening facial space infection
  • Conditions of the oral mucosa, such as mouth ulcers, white patches and dentoalveolar infection