Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the surgical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting the mouth, jaws, face and neck.

Consultant specialists working in this area are variously termed oral surgeons, maxillofacial surgeons or oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons frequently work alongside other specialists including orthodontists, oncologists, neurosurgeons, plastic surgeons, and ENT surgeons.

The scope of the specialty is extensive and includes the diagnosis and management of facial injuries, head and neck cancers, salivary gland diseases, facial disproportion, facial pain, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, impacted teeth, cysts and tumours of the jaws as well as numerous problems affecting the oral mucosa such as mouth ulcers and infections.

SASMFOS has produced specialty specific criteria, standards and evidence for the practice of oral and maxillofacial surgery in South Africa.

This website contains information and links to numerous oral and maxillofacial resources and extensive information about SASMFOS which we hope will be of interest and benefit to clinicians, patients and carers.