1

Official Publication of Orofacial Chronicle , India

www.jhnps.weebly.com

Leading Editorial

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery – An Enigma to OPT….???

Mohammad Akheel

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

India

Cite this article – Akheel Md. Oral & maxillofacial surgery-An enigma to OPT, Journal of head & neck

physicians and surgeons , Volume 2, Issue 1;Pg 1-3

“Service to humanity is service to mankind”

Oral & maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) is a surgical branch which deals with management

of diseases, defects and injuries occurring in head and neck region. It is an internationally

recognized specialty and in most of the countries dual degree (Medicine and dentistry) is

required to become an OMF Surgeon, except for some countries like India, it’s recognized

as a dental specialty. OMFS is an exciting surgical branch which forms a bridge between

medicine and dentistry. It was once known as oral surgery but when the general surgeons

were not able to manage the facial deformities/injuries during World War II, oral surgery

was upgraded as oral & maxillofacial surgery for better management of the patients and

establishing the occlusion with accurate preexisting facial dimensions. From a decade or

two, till present, due to the recent advancements, this field can also be called as oral &

cranio-maxillofacial surgery.

Now a days, young postgraduate aspirants think a lot many times to take this surgical

branch. This thinking might be due to less scope of employment, an ease to earn money in

2

other specialty departments or to get settle soon or to avoid situations which are mentally

strangulating. I would like to comment here that the thinking of the present generation is

changing with time. A quick comfortable life is their main motto. We have 163 colleges

which has OMFS branch with 593 OMF Surgeons coming out yearly but is this number

really sufficient for a population of 1.237 billion (2012 census) and increasing every year.

Most of these seats either go empty or this specialty is opted just for the tag of a surgeon.

Hence we require an enough number of dedicated OMF Surgeons for this huge population

as required in other medical specialties. Yes, there is a lack of awareness of OMFS among

the medical fraternity and the general public, but this can be solved only by the future

young aspirants who take up this branch with dedication and passion, learn the core

surgical skills and spread awareness among the population. The constant support from

higher authorities are being provided and should continue by taking appropriate steps to

make public aware of this branch in every village/town/city in India.

Now a days starting from primary health care centre till private/government tertiary care

centre and teaching hospitals have jobs for an OMF surgeon and I believe it will soon

increase in nearby future due to the continuous tremendous efforts put by our

associations/council. A multidisciplinary team approach are being established among

OMF Surgeon and other respective medical specialists like neurosurgeons, orthopedic

surgeons, plastic surgeons, otolaryngologists and other specialists with same respect given

to us as given to them and working as a team.

Young aspirants often get misguided by their peers/elders not to opt OMFS as their career.

Little they have awareness of this field and know that, this field is very interesting,

challenging and on par with other surgical fields and is expanding in surgical innovations

very rapidly. This branch will make our minds think in a broad way and teach us all

medical aspects which a doctor must know and yes life is not interesting when there are no

challenges.

3

I kindly request all my juniors and young aspirants to please opt this field when u have a

golden option, provided you have zeal, passion and love towards surgery. Kindly aim for

excellence don’t run behind success . If you have excellence, success will be in your hand.

This surgical field gives us an utmost satisfaction and we must be proud of being a surgeon.

I also request those aspirants who are opting this field just for the tag of an OMF Surgeon,

please don’t misuse this specialty for it. This might provide a chance to other aspirants who

really deserve it and who might be pioneers tomorrow.

This surgical field not only make us a surgeon but also give us confidence and willpower to

face any situation in our life. It makes our heart strong and gives us the strength to find

happiness even in the dark. Though, its a difficult decision but when choose wisely

considering all the pros and cons, years on from now the most precious thing in your life

would be your memories which will make you smile and the decisions which satisfy you so

that you don't regret later. Decide wisely, it's not 3 years but it's your lifetime.

I wish all the very best for young OMFS aspirants and wish them a very bright future.

“Hard work & Dedication never go futile”

Dr. Mohammad Akheel BDS MDS

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

India