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"What's an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon?"
Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the specialty of dental practice that deals with the diagnosis and surgical treatment of
diseases, injuries and defects of the mouth, jaws, face and related structures. This includes the removal of impacted and
decayed teeth, placement of dental implants, biopsy and removal of cysts and tumors of the mouth and jaws, treatment of facial
trauma and reconstructive jaw surgery. After four years of dental school an Oral Surgeon must complete an oral and maxillofacial
surgery residency program approved by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation. Here he becomes
proficient in caring for hospitalized patients, treating trauma victims, diagnosing and treating orol-facial diseases, performing
facial reconstructive procedures and learning to safely administer anesthetics. Some programs require the resident to write
a thesis after doing an original research project related to some aspect of their training.
Following graduation the Oral Surgeon becomes eligible to take the board exam. The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial
Surgery is recognized by the American Dental Association as the specialty board for oral and maxillofacial surgery. This board
is responsible for reviewing all applicants for board certification, as well as administering the examination involved in
the certification process. One must pass both a thorough written qualifying examination and a rigorous oral certifying examination
to become board certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Diplomates are encouraged
to maintain current competence by ongoing continuing education.
Dr. Babbitt is a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. This means that he has graduated from an accredited dental
school and has completed an oral and maxillofacial surgery residency program. His thesis was "A cellular turnover and
histochemical study of intraoral skin grafts." Following a written and oral exam in defense of his thesis, Dr. Babbitt
was granted a Master of Science degree from the Un. of Minnesota.
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