It's a very challenging but fun specialty, and it has a medical aspect in addition to dental. The income of an oral surgeon has the potential to be very high as well.
What are the challenges faced in OMS?
OMS is a a very challenging residency and thus programs look for outstanding applicants. If you want to pursue OMS, you should decide early so that you can prepare appropriately. Study early for the CBSE, as it is a very difficult exam covering an extensive amount of material. Be prepared to use your breaks to extern at programs. Work hard in school to maintain a high rank. The residency itself is another long commitment, either 4 or 6 more years after dental school.
What makes a good applicant?
Top 10% of the class, a CBSE score of 70+, externship experience, OMS study club involvement, letters of recommendation, and good interviewing skills will make you a strong applicant for OMS programs. It's also recommended to spend time in the oral surgery clinic; there's a lot of opportunity to shadow and assist during night clinic.
Things we wish we knew before applying:
The CBSE is a very difficult exam offered only twice a year (once in February, once in August) and so it is recommended to start studying for it in at the end of your first year, and try taking it for the first time in August of second year. Because UOP is an accelerated program, it's important to start doing externships as early as the end of first year. A lot of programs only want D3 or D4s as externs, so usually you'll have to let them know UOP is an accelerated program and our D2 is equivalent to D3s at other programs. Try to do at least 3 externships; not only is it important for applying but it will also give you insight into what OMS residency is like.
Things we wish we knew before interviewing:
Talk to people about applying to the right program. A program can change every year depending on is the program director, and the residents in the program play a huge part in your experience in residency. When you interview, see if you can envision yourself at that program and if you'd enjoy it because it is a long commitment.
Some programs offer 1-4 week externships where dental students are exposed to OMS residency. Depending on the program, some are hands-on while some are observation only. Externs will get to experience seminars, clinics, and operating rooms. Make sure to contact programs well in advance to set up externships as UOP's short breaks restrict when you can extern and externship spots are limited.
What is an internship?
A non-categorical internship is a one-year program that is not counted towards the 4 or 6 years of an OMS residency. If you do not match with a program for residency, sometimes a program will offer a one-year internship. During the internship you receive an education and training in OMS, and it is a great experience that will strengthen your application for OMS residency.