Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Predoctoral Education Program

The Predoctoral Program exposes students to the specialty and assists their development for the knowledge, skills and values to become competent in performing minor oral surgical procedures. The educational program rests on two central elements: a rigorous didactic program that combines lectures with small-group learning, and a clinical program that imparts proficiency in the basics of oral surgical practice. Beyond core surgical competencies, students completing the program will establish a proficient understanding of the evaluation, diagnosis and operative management of the oral and maxillofacial surgical patient. The strength of our program lies in the breadth and depth of expertise from the participating faculty and their shared passion for education. The blending of critical thinking and humanistic approach to patient care involving the latest techniques of surgical practice, is a pervasive theme throughout our curriculum.

Oral and Maxillofacial Postgraduate Program

The Postdoctoral/Residency Program is a six-year dual-degree training program, leading to both a M.D. degree and an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) residency certificate. The program consists of approximately three years on service as an OMFS resident, two years as a full-time student at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and one year as an intern/resident on the General Surgery Service at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Internship Program

The Internship Program is a one-year non-categorical position and is intended for dentists who are interested in gaining an additional year of education and experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery beyond the dental school curriculum. This is an excellent program for dental graduates interested in becoming an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The oral and maxillofacial surgery intern receives similar education and training as that of a categorical resident in the initial year of a six-year OMFS curriculum. The non-categorical intern also receives the same salary and benefits of a first-year resident. Understandably, the one-year non-categorical internship does not address the requirements of a formal certificate program.

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Externship Program

The Externship Program is a one-week program designed for those students interested in applying to OMS residency or those seeking more understanding of the specialty. The student will work closely with residents and faculty to gain a better understanding of the specialty. Externs will participate in didactic conferences, seminars, and patient rounds. An extern functions at the level of a sub-intern and works under the direct supervision of the Chief Residents. Externs are encouraged to function at the sub-intern level and encouraged to take call with our residents.

Research activities focus on the comprehensive scope of the oral and maxillofacial surgery specialty. Faculty members are involved in a variety of studies that range from modulating wound healing at the cellular level to interventions targeting the behavioral and psychosocial antecedents of facial injury. The research programs are funded primarily through the National Institutes of Health. In addition, our faculty serve on key committees of national and international research organizations, provide editorial services to specialty journals, and function as ad hoc reviewers for the National Institutes of Health Extramural Funding Programs.

Patient care activities for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery are provided at the student, resident, and faculty level. These encompass the complete scope of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. This includes, but not limited to dentoalveolar procedures, dental and craniofacial implant surgery, trauma surgery, orthognathic surgery, benign and malignant pathology with reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgery, and temporomandibular joint surgery. 

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic

We operate a fully advanced Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic for the provision of care to patients requiring comprehensive scope of surgery. The clinic offers a full spectrum of anesthesia depending on patient needs and desires. More extensive clinical activities are provided by surgical faculty in the outpatient clinics as well as the main and outpatient operating rooms of the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

Kristina Etchison, Academic Division Administrator
Phone: (310) 825-3241
ketchison@dentistry.ucla.edu 

For patient inquiries
Phone: (310) 825-0834