Our Summary

This study looked at how confident dental students at Kuwait University feel about performing oral and maxillofacial surgery (surgery on the mouth, jaw, and face). They used a survey created by the Association of British Academic Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons to gather this information. The survey was given to students in their sixth and seventh years of study in May 2020.

There were 39 students who completed the survey. More than half of them (61%) felt confident enough in their knowledge to start practicing on their own. The students felt good about performing basic oral surgery procedures like removing teeth with forceps and elevators, removing roots, treating a condition called acute pericoronitis (infection around a third molar), stopping bleeding from a tooth socket, assessing impacted teeth (teeth that haven’t fully emerged), and identifying potentially cancerous and cancerous lesions in the mouth. However, they didn’t feel as confident about performing surgical procedures.

The results of this study helps the university understand how well their teaching curriculum is preparing students for their future careers.

FAQs

  1. What was the purpose of the survey conducted among dental students at Kuwait University?
  2. How confident did the surveyed dental students feel about performing basic oral surgery procedures?
  3. What aspects of maxillofacial surgery did the students feel less confident about according to the survey?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about maxillofacial surgery is to follow all pre-operative instructions carefully, including any guidelines for fasting or medication use. This will help ensure a successful surgery and a smooth recovery process. Additionally, it is important for patients to communicate openly with their healthcare team about any concerns or questions they may have before and after the surgery.

Suitable For

Patients who typically require maxillofacial surgery include those with facial trauma, congenital craniofacial anomalies, temporomandibular joint disorders, orthognathic surgery (corrective jaw surgery), impacted teeth, facial deformities, oral and facial tumors, and other complex dental and facial conditions. These patients may be referred to a maxillofacial surgeon by their general dentist or other healthcare provider for specialized treatment.

Timeline

Before maxillofacial surgery:

  1. Patient experiences symptoms or issues with their mouth, jaw, or face that require surgical intervention.
  2. Patient consults with a maxillofacial surgeon to discuss treatment options and determine if surgery is necessary.
  3. Patient undergoes pre-operative assessments, such as imaging scans and blood tests, to evaluate their overall health and suitability for surgery.
  4. Patient receives information about the surgery, including potential risks and complications, and gives informed consent.
  5. Patient prepares for surgery by following pre-operative instructions, such as fasting before the procedure.

After maxillofacial surgery:

  1. Patient undergoes the surgical procedure under anesthesia, which may involve incisions, bone restructuring, or tissue removal.
  2. Patient is monitored closely during the post-operative period for any complications or adverse reactions to anesthesia.
  3. Patient may experience pain, swelling, and discomfort in the days following surgery, which can be managed with pain medication and proper wound care.
  4. Patient follows post-operative instructions, such as maintaining a soft diet, avoiding strenuous activities, and attending follow-up appointments with their surgeon.
  5. Patient undergoes a recovery period, during which they gradually resume normal activities and monitor their progress towards healing and improvement in their symptoms.

Overall, the timeline for a patient before and after maxillofacial surgery involves thorough assessment, preparation, surgical intervention, and post-operative care to ensure a successful outcome and recovery.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about maxillofacial surgery include:

  1. What specific procedure do you recommend for my condition?
  2. How long have you been performing maxillofacial surgery?
  3. What are the potential risks and complications associated with the surgery?
  4. What is the expected recovery time after the surgery?
  5. Are there any alternative treatment options available?
  6. Will I need to undergo any additional tests or procedures before the surgery?
  7. What type of anesthesia will be used during the surgery?
  8. What is your success rate with this type of surgery?
  9. How many times have you performed this specific procedure?
  10. What can I do to prepare for the surgery and optimize my recovery outcomes?

Reference

Authors: Kamal M, Abdulwahab M. Journal: BMC Med Educ. 2021 Apr 7;21(1):198. doi: 10.1186/s12909-021-02614-x. PMID: 33827549