Integration of the medical degree in oral and maxillofacial surgery training: a survey of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons membership

Fifty percent of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons membership in the United States was polled in an effort to evaluate the influence a medical degree might have on privileges and referral patterns, and its role in the office, hospital, and academic settings. Biographical data were collected and responses evaluated for the following groups: 1) the nation as a whole, 2) geographic regions of practice, 3) population, 4) number of years in practice, and 5) involvement in academic programs. Questions concerning the spectrum of privileges as well as referrals and desire to possess a medical degree were asked. Substantially different responses were seen between the MD/non-MD oral and maxillofacial (OMF) surgeons as well as differences between geographic locations, years in practice, and academic involvement. In general, MD and academic OMF surgeons possessed a broader spectrum of privileges than their colleagues. No consistent patterns were seen between the various geographic regions. No significant differences existed in privileges based on the size of a community in which a surgeon practices. A greater or equal percentage of privileges was possessed by more recently trained OMF surgeons than their more experienced colleagues. The results presented may aid future graduates in making a more informed decision when considering obtaining a medical degree.     

British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons first national audit in support of revalidation

This is the first national audit of Fellows of the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon with the specific purpose of supporting consultant revalidation. The audit was performed online. There were 127 responses from 275 email invitations. The audit reflects the range of activity by consultants with over 90% being involved in dento-alveolar, trauma and oral medicine. 78% of consultants performing head and neck oncology had a database and 75% of cleft lip and palate surgeons. Contributions to audits in the last 3 years were least common in oral medicine (7%), skull base (7%), aesthetic surgery (8%), and paediatric maxillofacial surgery (12%). There were many different audits reflected in consultants responses and there is merit in focusing on specific audits suitable for national comparison and benchmarking.     

Professional qualifications of the membership of the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

The medical and higher academic qualifications of the current membership of the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons were analyzed. Of the total membership, 69.3% possessed a postgraduate dental fellowship, 28.3% held a formal medical qualification and 16.5% held a higher academic degree. Half (45.9%) of the Fellows (Consultants), one-third (28.1%) of the Members and one-tenth (10.9%) of the Associate Members were medically qualified. Consultants in NHS positions and Members in higher training grades accounted for the majority of medically qualified individuals. Higher academic qualifications were held by one-fifth (20.8%) of Fellows, one-tenth (11.4%) of Members and one-fifth (17.7%) of Associate Members. Most of those possessing higher academic qualifications were consultants in University appointments, Members not in training and overseas Associate Members. A dental basis for the specialty was upheld by the finding that 99.7% of Fellows held a post-graduate dental fellowship. These results are discussed in relation to current recommendations for clinical and academic training in oral and maxillofacial surgery in the UK.     

Oral health-related quality of life and oral hygiene condition in patients with maxillofacial defects: A retrospective analysis

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral rehabilitation (maxillofacial prosthetic intervention and oral hygiene instruction) on oral health-related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) and oral hygiene condition in patients with maxillofacial defects and to explore the correlation between them in these patients.MethodsTwenty-five patients with maxillofacial defects who had been treated since April 2016 to March 2018 were included in this study. The scores of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) and O’Leary’s Plaque Control Record (PCR) were also identified as the scores of OHRQoL and oral hygiene condition, respectively. Statistical analyses were performed to compare between the scores of “pre” and “post” prosthetic treatment and to evaluate patient-related factors influencing these variables (age, the number of residual teeth and occlusal supports, and occlusal units (OUs)). The effect of combined chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) on each score was also assessed statistically. Furthermore, the correlation of OHIP and PCR scores was explored statistically.ResultsBoth oral rehabilitations could significantly improve OHIP and PCR scores. Significant correlations of the change of OHIP scores with age and OUs were detected. CRT had no significant effect on OHIP and PCR scores. No correlations between OHIP and PCR were observed.ConclusionsAlthough oral rehabilitation such as maxillofacial prosthetic treatment and oral hygiene instruction would be highly effective for improvement of OHRQoL and oral hygiene condition in patients with maxillofacial defects, there was no correlation between them.     

Assessment of online visibility of the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS): A strategic study

The Internet is a powerful method of acquiring and sharing information. In marketing and business, online visibility is vital for publicity and the reputation of an organisation. To our knowledge, the importance of such visibility in medicine in general, and in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) services in the UK, has not previously been investigated. We aimed to provide a better understanding of the way that patients use the Internet by asking 450 patients to complete a questionnaire when they attended outpatient OMFS departments at 2 centres. We also assessed the online visibility of the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS) and investigated the correlation between the strength of online visibility and professional reputation. Results from the self-administered, anonymous, validated questionnaires showed that 82% of patients agreed that the Internet was a powerful source of information, and two-thirds associated online visibility with a good reputation. However, the perceived online visibility of the BAOMS was poor (2%). This study mirrors findings in business publications, and confirms the link between online visibility and professional reputation. It also shows that there is a gap between patients’ perceptions and the level of uptake of professional resources. We propose various strategies to bridge this gap and to promote the online visibility and professional reputation of the BAOMS and of OMFS services in the UK.