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This webpage explains the similarities and differences between an oral surgeon and oral and maxillofacial surgeon. It can help:
An oral surgeon is a dentist and dental specialist.
An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a dentist, medical practitioner and dental/medical specialist. They manage and treat more conditions than oral surgeons because they have completed a dental degree and a medical degree.1
Oral surgeons diagnose and treat conditions of the mouth, teeth, gums and bone that supports the teeth in the jaws. This may also include diagnosing and managing pain and injury to the teeth and mouth. An oral surgeon has completed a dental degree and three years of specialist dental training.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons diagnose and treat conditions of the mouth, teeth, gums and bone that supports the teeth in the jaws. They also treat disease, injuries and defects of the jaw and face. This means that oral and maxillofacial surgeons treat a greater range of conditions than oral surgeons. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon has completed a dental degree, a medical degree1 and four years of specialist medical and dental training.
The table below includes some examples of the practice of dentists, oral surgeons, and oral and maxillofacial surgeons:
This table does not list all the treatments and procedures each practitioner can provide.
Not all dentists, oral surgeons or oral and maxillofacial surgeons will provide the same range of treatments or procedures. Some may not perform some procedures due to limited recent experience or professional development, and some may have undertaken additional training so that they can provide more types of treatments or procedures.
Practitioners work together so that patients get the right care from the right practitioner. A dentist, general practitioner or other health professional may refer a patient to an oral surgeon, or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, depending on the needs of the patient.
Both oral surgeons and oral and maxillofacial surgeons can work in public and private practice, including:
Tip: If you’re looking for your oral and maxillofacial surgeon on the Register of practitioners they may appear as a ‘dental practitioner’ or ‘medical practitioner’ or both. An oral surgeon will only appear as a ‘dental practitioner’.
The table below explains the qualifications and registration types of the two specialties:
Oral surgeon and oral and maxillofacial surgeon are protected titles under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law.
If you are seeking professional opinion or treatment, speak to your dental practitioner or another health professional about your concerns.
Not all treatments provided by an oral surgeon or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon are covered under Medicare, meaning you may not receive a government rebate. You may wish to ask your referring practitioner whether your treatment is covered by Medicare with an oral surgeon and/or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Maxillofacial: the jaws and the face.
Protected title: a title that can only be used by a person that is appropriately trained and qualified in that profession and is registered. ‘Dentist’, ‘oral surgeon’, and ‘oral and maxillofacial surgeon’ are all protected titles.
Registration: the process health practitioners undergo to be allowed to practise in Australia, ensuring they meet national standards for competence and ethical care.
Specialist training: advanced, focused education designed to build deep expertise in a specific field.
1There are some limited exceptions where an oral and maxillofacial surgeon may not have completed a medical degree, meaning they are not a medical practitioner.
2There are some limited exceptions where an oral surgeon cannot register as a dentist and can only register as a dental specialist.
