Oral Surgeon Jobs in the United States

Oral Surgeon Jobs Overview

A grateful patient's happy smile — that's one of the most valuable benefits oral surgeons enjoy. Behind every successful surgery you perform, there's a life forever changed for the better. While the average length of training and higher education for oral surgeon jobs is 12–14 years, the positive results make all the hard work worthwhile.

Also known as maxillofacial physicians or oral pathologists, oral surgeons operate on the jaw, mouth, and face. In addition to mastering oral surgery, some pursue fellowships that allow them to fine-tune their skills according to their unique interests. Here are a few intriguing examples of oral surgeon specialties:

• head and neck cancer treatments
• cosmetic facial surgery procedures
• pediatric maxillofacial surgery

From administering anesthesia and extracting wisdom teeth to removing tumors and inserting dental implants, the tasks performed by oral surgeons are wide and varied. Work environments are equally diverse. With an employment growth rate of 5%, you'll find oral surgeon jobs readily available in hospitals, outpatient care centers, and private dentist offices.

Salaries for Oral Surgeon Jobs

Pay rates for oral surgeons vary according to your experience, aptitude, and sphere of study. If salary is your top priority, where you work matters. For example, jobs in outpatient care centers usually pay more than those in general medical hospitals.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean hourly wage for oral surgeons is $148.76 per hour or $309,410 per year. Where you live impacts how much you can earn as an oral surgeon. Here are the top five best-paying cities:

• Chicago, IL
• Houston, TX
• New York, NY
• Tampa, FL
• Sacramento, CA

Interested in learning more about oral surgeon pay rates in your area? Monster's salary calculator can help you crunch the numbers.

Finding the Ideal Oral Surgeon Job

Securing your ideal oral surgeon job begins by defining which aspects of the profession most appeal to you. Assessing your goals, interests, and aspirations can help you identify your top priorities.

Some oral surgeons are driven by a desire to perfect their technique. Others want to learn all they can about advanced new dental technologies. Whether you love interacting with patients or working with your colleagues as part of a well-honed team, decide what you value most about the job.

Examine the Job Description

Once you've established your career goals, study the job description to determine if the employer can help you reach them. Begin by assessing whether you have the necessary skills and experience to fulfill the position's responsibilities. Is there an area where you might need additional training?

Research the Company

If you believe you'd be a good fit for an oral surgeon position, learn everything you can about the company and its culture. Study the mission, values, and work ethic of the practice or institution to see if its culture aligns with your beliefs and expectations. The company's website, news releases, and annual reports are all useful sources of information.

Look Toward the Future

A great benefits package can be enticing, but before you submit your application, take a moment to think again about your long-term goals. Will the job help you reach your aspirations as an oral surgeon? Investigate growth opportunities within the company for professional advancement.

Applying for Oral Surgeon Jobs

Tailoring your application to match the tone and language of the job description increases your chances of garnering a formal interview for the job. Here are a few tips on how to capture the hiring manager's attention.

Create an Effective Resume

When it comes to applying for oral surgeon jobs, how do you set yourself apart from the competition? Give your resume some teeth by loading it with keywords related to the skills, qualifications, and other information listed in the job description. Here are some examples of resume keywords to include:

• communication skills
• strong work ethic
• board eligible
• board certified
• highly skilled
• energetic
• collaborative

In addition to implementing appropriate keywords, resumes for oral surgeon jobs should feature a clear, easy-to-read format. Organize the document so that employers can easily find critical information about your education, training, and employment history.

If you would rather perfect your skills as a surgeon than polish your resume, we've got you covered! Sign up for the Monster Professional Resume Writing Service, and our certified experts will craft a resume that highlights your expertise and accomplishments.

Write a Persuasive Cover Letter

A cover letter offers another opportunity to get your foot in the door. What's the best way to stand out from the crowd of candidates? Focus on the needs of the employer rather than your own.

Resist the temptation to write too much about yourself; instead, emphasize how your qualifications can benefit the employer. Highlight the expertise and experience you bring to the job, and underline your ability to work with others. Above all, keep your healthcare cover letter short and concise — three paragraphs are plenty.

Submit the Application

After you've polished your resume and cover letter to perfection, apply for the position with a free Monster account. Creating a personal profile is easy and gives you access to additional oral surgeon jobs as soon as they become available.

How to Follow Up on Your Application

Experts agree that it's a good idea to follow up with an email or phone call if you don't hear back from the company within a week or two. These follow-up guidelines can help you get started:

• Identify the appropriate person to contact through the company's front desk or human resources department.
• Demonstrate that you've done your homework by referencing specific aspects of the firm's approach to business.
• Express your interest in meeting with the employer to detail the value you would add to the organization.

Interview Tips for Oral Surgeon Jobs

It may be an old adage, but it still rings true today: You only have one shot at making a good first impression. Increase your chances of obtaining the position by thoroughly preparing for the interview.

The Interview Process

Every healthcare organization has its own interview process. Some companies start you off with a phone call or video conference; others hold multiple rounds of in-person meetings. Gain the advantage by asking up-front what to expect.

Companies also take different approaches toward interview questions. One firm may ask competency-based questions, while another takes a behavioral approach. Prepare by familiarizing yourself with each format.

Prepare for the Job Interview

Whether you're interviewing for positions at hospitals, outpatient care centers, or dentists' offices, success depends on the way you answer interview questions. Ready to practice? Here are a few of the most common questions asked of healthcare professionals.

• How do you deal with a difficult patient?
• What do you do if a patient is worried about a procedure?
• How do you manage stress on the job?
• How would you improve the surgical process?
• How do you see your role as an oral surgeon moving forward?

Answering Interview Questions

How do you engage your audience during an interview? Tell a story! When asked a question, use the STAR interview method to give your answer in narrative form.

An acronym for "Situation, Task, Action, and Result," this technique gives you a formula to follow, enabling you to answer any question. Here's an example of how it works.

• Situation: Describe a problematic situation at work that needed resolving.
• Task: Explain how you decided what to do about the circumstances.
• Action: Relate the specifics of the action you took to remedy the situation.
• Result: Communicate the positive results you achieved by your intervention.

How to Follow Up After Your Interview

Within 24 hours of the interview, send the employer a thank-you note or email. If you haven't heard back from the hiring manager in one or two weeks, follow up again. It takes time for organizations to make final decisions about hiring, so stay optimistic!

How to Respond to Job Offers

It's exciting to find out you aced the interview and you're offered the position. Express your sincere thanks for the offer, but don't say "yes" to the job until you've had time to peruse the proposal. Let the organization know when they can expect your final decision.

Sign-on bonuses, partnership opportunities, relocation reimbursements — when it comes to oral surgeon jobs, analyzing the compensation package can be challenging. You may wish to seek legal assistance to help you process the data.

From retirement plans to malpractice, medical, and dental insurance, there's more than your annual salary to consider before accepting an offer for an oral surgeon position. There are also opportunities to earn a significant income! Taking time to scrutinize the offer can reward you with a financially successful career.

If you feel the compensation package needs certain adjustments, negotiations may be in order. Before reaching out to the employer, take time to research salaries and benefit packages for similar oral surgeon jobs.

Career Paths

Oral and maxillofacial surgeons often progress to supervisorial or executive roles, such as operations manager for an outpatient care center or a position in business management at a hospital. Assessing your interests and talents can help you find the ideal position. Here are three of the many options available:

• pediatric dentist
• public health dentist
• dental office manager

Thanks to the growing popularity of procedures like dental implants, the future is bright for oral surgeons. From 3-D printing to AI, innovative technologies are also impacting the industry. Whether you want to continue to hone your surgery skills or expand your horizons, you can look forward to a fulfilling and rewarding career in dentistry.

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