General Statement & Objectives

General Statement
The purpose of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency is to provide a forty-eight month program of postgraduate education in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. The program includes a progressively graduated sequence of clinic and hospital experiences in which the comprehensive study of the basic biomedical sciences as they relate to both Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and total patient care are integrated. It is designed to meet the guidelines and requirements established by:

• The Surgeon General, Department of the Army for Military Dental Residencies in accordance with Army Regulation 350-219.
• The Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association.
• The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
• The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
• The program is further structured to meet the unique military requirements in the management of maxillofacial combat injuries and their long range reconstruction and rehabilitation and to enable the graduate to function in military dental and surgical executive capacities in time of peace and war.
• The program seeks to stimulate enthusiasm of the residents towards acquisition of knowledge based on principles that when applied through sound judgment result in a proper course of action for any given clinical situation. The total process is one designed to emphasize fundamentals as well as specific techniques so that the educational process may be directed towards creation and reinforcement of life-long efficient learning habits. Contribution to our specialty is stressed by publication of cases, techniques and research, thus passing on to others what has been learned. 

Program Objectives  
Objectives of the four-year Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Program are to provide postgraduate training and prepare participants of the program for:

• The competent specialized practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and integration of its role in total patient care with other dental and medical specialties.
• Teaching responsibilities necessary for organizing and conducting professional education programs in the United States Army Dental Corps.
• Maintaining the dental health of the U.S. Army and providing care to the sick and injured in accordance with recognized professional procedures.
• Professional and administrative roles of leadership in the Army practice of dentistry.
• Professional augmentation in critical need areas such as anesthesia and other surgical specialties during mass casualties.
• Initiating and conducting a clinical investigation and/or publication in a professional journal.
• Examination and certification by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

The program objectives are assessed in a yearly critique submitted to the Dental Activity Commander. The Dental Activity Education Committee reviews assessment outcomes on a yearly basis.