Education

The Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery provides training in the full scope of the specialty, with special emphasis in facial trauma, facial aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, orthognathic sur-gery, temporomandibular joint surgery, preprosthetic surgery and implantology. The division has successfully implemented and developed new techniques in laser surgery, transmandibular implantation and bone grafting.

In addition to didactic and clinical training, residents learn how to function within a dynamic tertiary-care, Regional Resource (Level I) Trauma Center. Responsibilities increase to match the residents' level of training, and by program completion, residents are fully competent to perform medi-cal histories and physicals, place physician's orders and consultations, develop pre- and postoperative reports, maintain charts, dictate operative reports, coordinate care with other specialists, present at conferences, write patient correspondence and address many insurance issues.

Didactic Training
OMFS residents receive comprehensive didactic training through a series of conferences. In addition, residents are provided a stipend for the purchase of books, have access to the division's library and frequently are asked to research literature for topics as they relate to current cases or contemporary issues. Senior and advanced junior residents are strongly encouraged to develop and present lectures in-house and throughout the community.

Clinical Training
OMFS clinical training consists of ambulatory dentoalveolar patient treatment, trauma call coverage, inpatient floor coverage and assisting attending physicians in the operating room. Responsibilities are assigned according to level of training.

Except for the intern (PGY-1) and chief (PGY-6) years, rotations on the OMFS service may be either a medical school clerkship, general surgery rotation or a couple weeks between terms while in medical school. In all cases, OMFS residents are expected to continue participation at the appropriate level.

Extracurricular Courses
OMFS residents at Allegheny General Hospital are provided numerous educational opportunities outside the basic curriculum of the program. Through the Office of Graduate Medical Education and through the program's own endowment, residents are provided financial support for course registration fees and travel expenses.

Special courses offered by Continuing Medical Education and other services provide residents additional training in a variety of areas:

• Laser surgery
• Cadaveric dissection
• Sleep Disorders

Beyond the first year, residents are permitted one elective course requiring travel to another city. During the chief residency year, the program funds one of the following additional courses/rotations:

• Cosmetic rotation
• Cleft lip/plate rotation

In most cases, the program also funds travel expenses necessary for residents to attend conferences at which their submitted abstracts or posters have been accepted for presentation.