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.