Difference between an OMS surgeon and a dentist
Posted on 5/9/2022 by Widner Elite Oral Surgery and Dental Implants |
 A general dentist is a medical practitioner who diagnoses, treats, and helps prevent dental problems, for example, by teeth cleaning and whitening, simple extractions, and fluoride treatments. They also provide x-rays and dental screenings, dental fillings, root canals, crowns, bridges, and veneers. They also offer patient education and recommendation on maintaining oral hygiene. An OMS, however, is a specialized dentist with expertise in providing surgical treatment of dental disorders such as dental implants and extractions, TMJ pain, and invasive procedures of the oral, maxilla, face, neck, and head region including management of traumas and emergency injuries. When the work required falls outside a dentist's practice scope, the patient is frequently referred to an OMS.
Educational and training differences
After earning a bachelor's degree, general dentists and OMF surgeons must attend dental school. Students study anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and oral surgery in dental school, usually taking four years of full-time study. Dental students also participate in clinical practicums, where they learn how to identify and treat dental disorders firsthand.
After graduating from dental school with a dental medicine degree, a general dentist must pass a licensing exam to practice in a specific region. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons, however, go through a four- to six-year training in surgical residency. The commission and board on dental accreditation must approve the residency program and ensures that each resident receives the necessary training in oral pathology, anesthesia, oral surgery, and other areas. After completing a surgical residency, a person must pass a board certification exam and obtain a license to practice.
An OMS is a dentist, but a dentist is not an OMS. On suspicion that your condition needs specialized care, it is advisable to visit an OMS immediately. However, most visits are due to referrals often made by your general dentist as an OMS has completed extensive and expert training in the surgical treatment of oral conditions.
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