Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Careers in the Military and Department of Veterans Affairs

doi:10.1016/j.coms.2007.10.002

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinics of North America

Volume 20, Issue 1, February 2008, Pages 17-26

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coms.2007.10.002 Get rights and content

Within the Federal Services, a myriad of career opportunities exist for the oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense, consisting of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, have the greatest number of positions available. Federal Services careers are also for those oral and maxillofacial surgeons with a calling to serve their country. The personal fulfillment, patient appreciation, and inter- and cross-specialty relationships are unique to this practice setting because it is free of many of the impediments, to these relationships, that exist in private practice. The highlights of a career in each of these Federal Services are described in this article.

Section snippets

Paul M. Lambert, DDS

Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers veterans one of the largest, most comprehensive health care systems in the United States, with 157 medical centers or major divisions and almost 900 clinics located nationwide.

VA oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMSs) enjoy extremely fulfilling careers caring for those who have served in defense of our nation. Currently, personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have challenged VA OMSs with the responsibility for reconstructing and

Thomas S. MacKenzie, DDS, COL, DC, USA

The United States Army (USA) Dental Corps has a long and distinguished history of service to the United States Army. Mention of the need for dental care for the troops dates as far back as the Revolutionary War (1776–1781). It became incumbent on the troops to take care of their own dental needs, often returning to their home to receive the needed care.

During the infancy of the nation, the needs of the soldier were recognized, yet they were not met. During the Mexican War (1846–1848), civilian

Michael A. Steinle, DMD, CDR, DC, USN

The United States Navy (USN) Dental Corps has a long and storied history in the United States Navy, of which OMSs have played an important role. Although officially established nearly 100 years ago, on 22 August 1922, the dawn of Navy dentistry can really be traced back to April 1873, when Thomas O. Walton of Annapolis, MD, was the first dentist appointed to serve as an officer in the Navy. Prior to the commissioning of Dr. Walton, the dental needs of sailors were initially assigned either to

David B. Powers, DMD, MD, COL DC, USAF

The United States Air Force (USAF) Dental Corps was established in 1949 with the creation of the Air Force Medical Service. The oral and maxillofacial surgery residency program at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center on Lackland Air Force Base (AFB) in San Antonio, Texas, was the first dental residency in the USAF Dental Corps and graduated its first residents in 1959. An additional oral and maxillofacial surgery residency training program, at David Grant USAF Medical Center on Travis AFB

Summary

As described, careers as OMSs in the Federal Services have several common, yet many unique, aspects. This fulfilling and personally rewarding career has something to offer every OMS. It comes down to finding the best fit for each particular surgeon. Solo practice, small group, or large group practice is all within reach. The OMS has the ability to experiment with each setting without many of the personal or financial concerns that surface within private practice, providing a significant

References (0)

Cited by (2)

An update on the current training situation of German interns in oral and maxillofacial surgery at special times in 2021
2022, Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery
Citation Excerpt :
Brar et al. evaluated the influence of COVID-19 on OMFS training concerning the adoption to protective behavior and risk reduction, but did not address the general influence on the training situation (Brar et al., 2021). In this context, the fact of OMFS being a diverse and challenging surgical specialty combining several fields of medicine and dentistry, encompassing multiple surgical procedures, and providing various career opportunities such as practicing at (non-) university hospitals or private practices, academic and scientific career, or joining the military medical service has to be taken in account (Bitonti et al., 2008; Brandt, 2008). Nevertheless, recruiting highly qualified candidates for OMFS residency and becoming a fully certified OMFS surgeon is not a matter of course.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the current state of training of German interns in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) under the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
A previously tested questionnaire consisting of 53 questions was sent to interns in German OMFS (non-) university hospitals and private practices as an online survey. The questionnaire was adapted to current topics, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, aspects concerning nighttime and weekend services, overtime hours, surgical logbooks, benefits of academic degrees and support for scientific activities, part-time employment, parental leave and childcare. Next, results of questions from before the COVID-19 pandemic were re-evaluated.
The COVID-19 pandemic influenced the clinical work (71.83%) and the current state of training (68.64%) in OMFS of most participants. Nighttime and weekend services are possible for employees in possession of only one degree (87.93% with a medical degree) in most hospitals. Not having one or both doctorate degrees was considered to be a disadvantage by 54.95%. In all, 42.11% of the participants attested to a positive influence of research on their training situation, and 50% reported financial or non-financial research support from the employer. Part-time employment was possible for 78.81% of the participants. The course of training was interrupted more often for women due to parental or maternity leave (10.53% of men and 30.95% of women). A total of 40.71% of the participants reported that childcare was available at the hospital, theoretically.
The state of OMFS training in Germany can be referred to as positive. Current and future challenges are diverse, including aspects originating from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, gender aspects, reconciliation of family and work, and flexible working hours. Addressing these topics will ensure OMFS training at the highest surgical level and further increase interns’ satisfaction, preserving the specialty’s popularity and reception.
Post-graduation career pathways: a nationwide survey among dental students in Germany
2024, Clinical Oral Investigations

: The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the United States Navy, United States Air Force, United States Army, Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, or the US Government.

View full text

Published by Elsevier Inc.