Training Pathways in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Across the Globe—A Mini Review

Abstract

Due to historical reasons, many different training pathways exist across countries that lead to a degree in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Although it is generally accepted to be a specialty of dentistry, the complex nature of procedures being performed by OMF surgeons today, has necessitated extensive general surgical training. Many countries have thus made dual qualification mandatory, while others have extended training programs in OMFS with integrated medical teaching. In India, frequent contact with foriegn experts, availability of world-class equipment and efforts of individual surgeons has ensured that the full scope of OMFS is practised in select centres of learning. However, the MDS curriculum dictated by DCI has not conformed to the requirements of the specialty as practiced today. This brief mini-review of the various training pathways aims at comparing our system with other countries and attempts to draw lessons which could help improve future OMFS training in India.