Occupations · Healthcare Practitioners and Technical

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Perform surgery and related procedures on the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial regions to treat diseases, injuries, or defects. May diagnose problems of the oral and maxillofacial regions. May perform surgery to improve function or appearance.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 29-1022.00

5,330people employed, United States

▲ 4.1%projected change, 2024→2034

200openings a year, incl. replacements

Typical education to enter: Doctoral or professional degree · BLS Employment Projections 2024–34

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

Administer general and local anesthetics.
Collaborate with other professionals, such as restorative dentists and orthodontists, to plan treatment.
Evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth to determine whether problems exist currently or might occur in the future.
Perform surgery to prepare the mouth for dental implants and to aid in the regeneration of deficient bone and gum tissues.
Remove impacted, damaged, and non-restorable teeth.
Treat infections of the oral cavity, salivary glands, jaws, and neck.
Remove tumors and other abnormal growths of the oral and facial regions, using surgical instruments.
Provide emergency treatment of facial injuries including facial lacerations, intra-oral lacerations, and fractured facial bones.
Treat problems affecting the oral mucosa, such as mouth ulcers and infections.
Restore form and function by moving skin, bone, nerves, and other tissues from other parts of the body to reconstruct the jaws and face.
Perform surgery on the mouth and jaws to treat conditions such as cleft lip, cleft palate, and jaw growth problems.
Perform minor cosmetic procedures, such as chin and cheekbone enhancements.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Reading Comprehension4.0

Critical Thinking4.0

Active Listening3.9

Monitoring3.9

Active Learning3.9

Speaking3.9

Science3.5

Writing3.5

Learning Strategies2.9

Mathematics2.6

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

AdaApteryx Imaging SuiteDSN Software Oral Surgery-ExecDecisionBase TiME for OMSDentalEyeDolphin Imaging & Management Solutions Dolphin ManagementGendex Dental Systems VixWin PROKodak Dental Systems Kodak Cosmetic Imaging ModulePlanmeca Oy DimaxisSirona SIDEXIS XG

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

5 / 5Extensive preparation — graduate school, and often a licence on top.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Exposed to Disease or Infections+3.1 above average

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets+2.0 above average

Exposed to Radiation+1.7 above average

Written Letters and Memos+1.6 above average

Health and Safety of Other Workers+1.6 above average

Physical Proximity+1.5 above average

Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers+1.5 above average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2012-07

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Post-Doctoral Training72%

Doctoral Degree20%

First Professional Degree - awarded for completion of a program that: requires at least 2 years of college work before entrance into the program, includes a total of at least 6 academic years of work to complete, and provides all remaining academic requirements to begin practice in a profession.8%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2012-07

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Investigative5.8

Realistic5.8

Social4.5

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

Tasks O*NET flags as emerging

Evaluate and treat problems related to the temperomandibular joint (TMJ).

O*NET 30.3 emerging tasks

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Judgment and Decision Making4.1

Complex Problem Solving4.1

Social Perceptiveness3.8

Coordination3.6

Time Management3.4

Service Orientation3.2

Systems Analysis3.2

Operations Analysis3.1

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

Medicine and DentistryBiologyEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServicePsychologyEducation and Training

Abilities it leans on

Arm-Hand SteadinessNear VisionFinger DexterityOral ExpressionOral ComprehensionControl Precision

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

SurgeonOral SurgeonDental SurgeonMaxillofacial SurgeonDoctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (OMS)

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 1 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 1

+Ada

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

DoctorSurgeonOral SurgeonDental SurgeonSurgeon PartnerChief of SurgeryResident SurgeonSurgeon/PresidentResident PhysicianOwner Oral SurgeonDental Service ChiefMaxillofacial Surgeon

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
dental practitioner	2261.1	close
specialist dentist	2261.2	broader

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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