The Past, Present, and Future of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Abstract

Since the earliest recognition of oral and maxillofacial surgery as a specialty there has been a continued debate about what should be the proper education and training for someone to practice in this area. 1 Koch R.E. History of Dental Surgery. National Articles Publishing Co, Chicago, IL1909 Google Scholar , 2 Punjabi A.P. Haug R.H. The development of the dual-degree controversy in oral and maxillofacial surgery. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1990; 48: 612 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (6) Google Scholar Despite numerous attempts to address this issue, 3 Newsletter. International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, No.1, 1989 Google Scholar , 4 Stoelinga P. International guidelines for specialty training in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 1992; 21: 130 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (9) Google Scholar , 5 European guidelines for specialty training in oral and maxillo-facial surgery. Rev Stomotol Chir Maxillofac. 2003; 104: 186 Google Scholar the problem still exists. Because any future changes in the educational system can have significant socioeconomic as well as clinical implications, it is important to review how we arrived at the current circumstances and to see what modifications would be necessary to resolve this situation. OMS Training in Australia and New ZealandJournal of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryVol. 66Issue 10PreviewI am writing in relation to the article by Dr Daniel Laskin titled “The Past, Present, and Future of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery” (J Oral Maxillofac Surg 66:1037-1044, 2008). I was disappointed that Dr Laskin made no mention of the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Region of Oceania or Australia and New Zealand. Full-Text PDF The Past, Present, and Future of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryJournal of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryVol. 66Issue 10PreviewI read with interest the article from Dr Laskin expressing his view on the education and training of oral and maxillofacial surgeons worldwide.1 However, his description of the situation in The Netherlands is not correct. The author stated that, until recently, only a dental degree is required to practice this specialty in The Netherlands. Full-Text PDF