What is an Oral Surgeon? For someone to become board-certified as an oral surgeon, they would have to study surgical procedures related to a specific type of soft tissue or hard tissue in the mouth. It requires a good deal of specialized education and training above and beyond that of a general dentist. This allows them the ability to access the latest techniques for all kinds of dental procedures. This knowledge and skill are far and away above those of the non-certified surgeon.Those patients or families of patients who are in need of a board-certified surgeon can sometimes have a hard time finding one who is certified. They are welcome to come to our office to discuss it. We can perform an assessment and determine what the best course of action is for their treatment and what type of board-certified surgeon would best meet their needs. Come down to our Coastal Maine Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery office and meet with us. Certified Surgeons vs. Licensed SurgeonsMost everyone thinks any professional practicing in the dental profession is board-certified but that is just not the case. Those who practice are required to be licensed but not board-certified. In order to become board-certified, it requires additional training and education. This allows them to become an expert in a particular field of study. What Are the Requirements for Board Certification?The process to become board certified is incredibly difficult. Those candidates interested in becoming board-certified need to produce a portfolio which demonstrates a high level of knowledge regarding a variety of surgical procedures. It might seem a bit daunting, but it is just a single requirement in the process. Having a portfolio approved does not in fact mean the applicant will become board-certified. There are other steps necessary. Once the portfolio has been approved, the applicant will need to take a written exam as well. The candidate will be required to get a minimum score on the test in order to receive a passing score. If the candidate passes the written exam, then they will go to the next step, which is a series of oral examinations. If the applicant fails to pass any of them, they are required to start the board certification process over. Once they have completed the certification process, they are allowed to claim a sub-specialty which means they have demonstrated a high level of competence in that particular area of study. This specialty can follow them through their entire career. Some of the specialties include pre-prosthetic oral surgery which entails using prostheses to replace natural teeth. This specialty also requires the candidate to show proficiency in tooth extractions as well as techniques associated with sedation dentistry. One aspect of being a board-certified surgeon is the fact that it is something that requires a lifelong commitment by the candidates because they have to be recertified every 10 years in order to maintain their board certification status. This means those surgeons will always have the highest level of skill regarding their sub-specialty. Those patients who have any questions regarding the board-certification process can come to our Coastal Maine Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery office to find out more. We can also be reached at 207-401-5006. |
