Oral Surgeon job description template
If you are hiring for this role, start here. This free template is our detailed definition of the position, with everything you need to find and hire the right person. Copy it, add your own requirements, and post it.
What is an Oral Surgeon?
An Oral Surgeon is a highly specialized dental professional responsible for diagnosing and performing surgical procedures to address complex issues involving the mouth, jaw, and facial structures. From an employer's hiring perspective, an Oral Surgeon is expected to possess advanced clinical skills, extensive knowledge of surgical techniques, and the ability to handle challenging cases such as impacted teeth, jaw misalignments, oral cancers, and facial trauma.
They play a critical role in delivering patient-centered care, ensuring precision in surgical outcomes, and collaborating with other dental and medical professionals to provide comprehensive treatment. A qualified candidate should demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, exceptional attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of patient safety and care. The most suitable candidate for this position should demonstrate an ability to diagnose problems and know how to resolve them. Try and look for candidates with previous experience, great attention to detail, and problem-solving skills.
The top Oral Surgeon skills.
Five things separate a strong hire from a résumé that reads well. Use these as your scorecard criteria.
The job description, ready to post.
Copy it as written, or edit it until it sounds like your company. Both work.
We are currently looking for a highly skilled and professional Oral Surgeon who will be performing surgeries on patients who need orofacial procedures. In this position, you will be required to consult with patients, create and discuss treatment plans, oversee aftercare, and coordinate with other healthcare professionals, such as dentists and orthodontists. Your duties will also include performing surgical procedures and performing minor cosmetic procedures, as well as treating infections.
In order to be a successful oral surgeon, you should have some previous work experience, a willingness to learn, and great dexterity skills. Our ideal candidate is someone with good communication and interpersonal skills, a valid license, and flexible working hours.
Duties and responsibilities
- Perform surgical procedures to treat conditions affecting the mouth, jaw, and facial structures.
- Diagnose and manage oral and maxillofacial diseases, injuries, and abnormalities.
- Extract impacted teeth, including wisdom teeth, and perform dental implant surgeries.
- Address facial trauma, jaw realignment, and reconstructive surgery needs.
- Collaborate with dentists, orthodontists, and other healthcare professionals on patient care plans.
- Administer anesthesia and ensure patient safety during surgical procedures.
- Educate patients on pre-operative and post-operative care, ensuring they understand treatment protocols.
- Maintain detailed and accurate patient records, including treatment plans and outcomes.
- Stay updated on advancements in oral and maxillofacial surgery techniques and technologies.
- Adhere to strict sterilization protocols and comply with healthcare regulations.
Requirements
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree.
- Completion of a residency program in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
- Board certification or eligibility in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
- Valid state dental license and permits to perform surgical procedures.
- Proven experience in oral surgery or related dental specialties.
- Proficiency in administering anesthesia and managing patient safety during surgeries.
- Strong knowledge of oral and facial anatomy, surgical techniques, and post-operative care.
- Excellent manual dexterity and attention to detail.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills for patient interaction and team collaboration.
- Commitment to staying current with advancements in oral surgery and maintaining continuing education requirements.
Take the template with you
Copy it straight into your job board or ATS, or have it emailed to you with the interview questions for this role.
Degree first, then the certification.
From a hiring perspective, an oral surgeon is required to have a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from an accredited dental school, followed by a residency program in oral and maxillofacial surgery, which typically lasts four to six years.
Candidates must also be board-certified or board-eligible in oral and maxillofacial surgery and hold a valid state license to practice. Additional certifications in advanced life support, anesthesia, and specialized areas of oral surgery may be preferred, depending on the scope of the practice.
Basic Life Support
Indicates proficiency in emergency life-saving techniques.
American Heart AssociationAdvanced Cardiovascular Life Support
Shows advanced skills in managing cardiac emergencies.
American Heart AssociationSample interview questions for an Oral Surgeon.
Once you have gathered the applications, work through these in order. Twelve questions across four areas, enough to tell your shortlist apart.
- What inspired you to pursue a career in oral surgery?
- How do you handle stressful situations or difficult cases?
- What are your long-term career goals as an oral surgeon?
- How do you foster positive relationships with your colleagues and staff?
- Can you describe a time when you resolved a conflict in the workplace?
- How do you ensure compliance with workplace policies and regulations?
- How do you prioritize and manage multiple surgical cases in a day?
- What strategies do you use to mentor or guide junior staff?
- How do you handle resource allocation, such as scheduling staff or managing equipment?
- Can you explain your approach to managing complex maxillofacial trauma cases?
- How do you stay updated on advancements in oral surgery techniques and technologies?
- What protocols do you follow for managing surgical complications, such as infections or nerve damage?
How much to pay when hiring.
Annual pay by percentile. Where you land depends on the size of the cycle they will own, and the 25th percentile is usually where a first analyst hire sits.
Hourly equivalents run from $18 at the 10th percentile to $192 at the 90th.
Candidates may apply under a different name.
Post the title your industry uses and keep the rest of the description. These three roles overlap enough that the same posting usually reaches all of them.
Three titles, one description.
Search behavior varies by industry, so the same job is advertised under several names. If you are unsure which one your candidates search for, run two titles and see which fills.
Dentists
Frequently asked questions.
What qualifications are needed for someone to become an oral surgeon?
An oral surgeon must have completed a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree, followed by a 4-6 year residency program in oral surgery.
Additionally, they must be licensed to practice in their respective state and, often, board certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
What types of procedures does an oral surgeon perform?
An oral surgeon performs a wide range of procedures, including tooth extractions, corrective jaw surgery, dental implant placement, treatment of facial injuries, cleft lip/palate surgery, and management of diseases affecting the oral and maxillofacial region.
How does an oral surgeon differ from a general dentist?
While both can perform dental procedures, oral surgeons have specialized training in surgical procedures related to the mouth, jaw, and facial areas.
General dentists focus on preventive care and treating oral diseases, referring patients to oral surgeons for complex surgeries and treatments.
What are the key skills or qualities that an effective oral surgeon should possess?
An effective oral surgeon should have excellent surgical skills, in-depth knowledge of oral and facial anatomy, strong communication skills for explaining procedures to patients, the ability to manage emergencies, and a compassionate approach to patient care.
Other job description templates.
Same format, same free, same median pay data. Browse the full library if the role you are hiring for is not here.
Dental Laboratory Technicians
A dental laboratory technician's job is to prepare dentures, crowns, and other prosthetic devices.
$42,110 medianDental Office Manager
A Dental Office Manager is a key administrative professional responsible for ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of a dental practice.
$60,532 median