**The Journey of an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in India: Challenges Beyond the Scalpel** As an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in India, the path I walk daily isn’t just about performing surgeries or treating patients. It’s a journey filled with unique challenges—some unexpected and some inherent to the very nature of our profession. One of the most common hurdles I face is something as simple as the pronunciation of my title. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is a specialty that's still relatively unknown to many, especially in rural areas. More often than not, when I introduce myself, I see confusion on people's faces, not only because of the complexity of the field but also due to the tongue-twisting nature of the name itself. I remember one particular instance, early in my residency, when a patient looked at me with wide eyes and hesitantly asked, “Doctor, what exactly do you do?” I smiled and explained that I specialize in surgeries involving the mouth, jaw, face, and neck. But what followed was a classic Indian response: “Oh, so you fix teeth, right?” While treating oral health is a big part of my work, my role stretches far beyond just dental care. From reconstructive surgeries for cancer patients to traumatic facial injuries and congenital defects, the scope is vast. Yet, due to limited awareness, people often miss the nuances of the field. Another challenge, more technical, is the availability of resources. While India has made significant strides in medical advancements, access to state-of-the-art equipment, especially in smaller cities or rural areas, is still a luxury. As professionals, we adapt, make the best use of what’s available, and find creative solutions to deliver optimal care. And then, there’s the constant balancing act between patient education and trust. A lot of patients are hesitant about undergoing surgery, especially in a field that requires precise and, at times, life-changing interventions. Communicating the importance of treatment and reassuring them about their outcomes is an ongoing effort that forms the core of our practice. But despite these challenges, the joy of transforming lives through surgery, alleviating pain, restoring function, and rebuilding self-esteem makes it all worthwhile. Every day is an opportunity to educate, heal, and bridge the gap between awareness and care. To my fellow oral and maxillofacial surgeons in India, let's continue to educate, advocate, and make a difference, one patient at a time. After all, we don’t just fix faces—we give them a voice. #OralAndMaxillofacialSurgery #HealthcareInIndia #MedicalChallenges #SurgicalCare #HealthAwareness
Dr. Shruti Ajmera’s Post
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Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) is often misunderstood and underappreciated in the broader medical community. Too often, our specialty is seen as limited to "routine dental procedures," when in fact, our scope goes far beyond that. We handle some of the most complex and delicate procedures in medicine, from facial trauma and reconstruction, orthognathic surgery, and cleft lip/palate repair, to the management of head and neck cancers, jaw disorders, and even aesthetic facial surgeries. OMFS requires a deep understanding of both medicine and dentistry, allowing us to tackle a diverse range of cases that impact patients' quality of life. We work on the intricate anatomy of the face, mouth, and jaws, performing life-changing surgeries that go beyond functional restoration, encompassing aesthetic and psychological dimensions. Yet, despite our profound impact, our specialty often doesn’t receive the recognition it truly deserves. The question is: why? Is it a lack of awareness about the scope of our field, or perhaps a result of misconceptions about our role in healthcare? I believe it’s time for a change. We need to raise public and professional awareness about the vast scope of OMFS and the critical role we play in patient care. For those interested in learning more, I recommend exploring articles like “The Scope of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Expanding Beyond the Oral Cavity” published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and “OMFS: Bridging the Gap Between Medicine and Dentistry” from Head & Neck Surgery Journal. Every specialty in healthcare plays a vital role, and OMFS is no exception. We are surgeons, healers, and innovators transforming lives through the most intricate and essential procedures. Let’s continue to spread awareness and give OMFS the recognition it rightfully deserves! #awareness #oralandmaxillofacialsurgery #oralsurgery #maxillofacialsurgeons #craniofacialsurgery #oraloncology #awareness
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Plastic surgery alters certain areas of your body to treat medical issues or enhance appearance. Surgeons might perform procedures on your face, neck, breasts, stomach, arms and legs. Reconstructive surgery repairs defects or injuries and restores function. Cosmetic surgery enhances appearance for nonmedical reasons. Plastic surgery takes its name from the Greek word “plastikos,” which means to “form” or “mold.” It includes a group of procedures that alter certain areas of your body. These include your face, neck, breasts, stomach, arms and legs. The terms “reconstructive plastic surgery” and “cosmetic surgery” may seem similar, but they represent different types of procedures. Cosmetic surgery enhances appearance for nonmedical reasons. This group of procedures addresses physical features that make you self-conscious. Cosmetic surgery can bring you closer to your ideal body image. This type of surgery changes features such as: #Shape. #Size. #Symmetry (creating more of a mirror image between two #similar body parts, such as breasts). Plastic surgeons perform plastic and reconstructive surgery. Surgeons from many fields perform cosmetic procedures. You may receive cosmetic surgery from a plastic surgeon, dermatologist, otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat surgeon) or others. Selecting your healthcare provider is important. You’re more likely to experience improved outcomes from surgeons with specialized training and experience in the procedure you need. Board-certified surgeons are an ideal choice. They must pass rigorous training and examinations demonstrating their knowledge of safety and quality practices. Plastic surgery alters certain areas of your body to treat medical issues or enhance appearance. There are different types of plastic surgery, including reconstructive surgery, birth defect repair, cosmetic surgery and more. These are complex procedures with risks of complications. Receiving services from an experienced surgeon and following home-care instructions can help you have a safe experience. You’ll also be more likely to achieve the results you’re looking for. #plastic #surgery #diagnosis #treatment #therapy #healthcare #hospitals #nurses #clinicians #doctors #atheenapandian #successfull
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"What is the 'Buccal Trough' and Why is this Technique Important for Extracting Teeth?" The buccal trough is a surgical technique used during the extraction of impacted wisdom teeth, particularly the mandibular (lower) third molars. This technique involves creating a groove or trough along the buccal (cheek) side of the impacted tooth, typically with a surgical handpiece and our. Significance of the Buccal Trough in Extracting Impacted Wisdom Teeth: 1. Improved Access and Visibility: • The buccal trough provides better visualization of the impacted tooth's crown and roots. This improved access helps the surgeon assess the tooth's position and any anatomical challenges more effectively. 2. Controlled Tooth Sectioning: • By creating a groove along the buccal aspect, the surgeon can section the tooth into smaller, more manageable pieces. This reduces the risk of uncontrolled fracture and damage to surrounding structures, such as the alveolar bone or the adjacent teeth. 3. Reduced Bone Removal: • Using the buccal trough technique minimizes the amount of bone that needs to be removed compared to other methods. This can preserve more of the alveolar bone and reduce postoperative complications related to bone loss. 4. Decreased Surgical Time: • The technique can make the extraction process more efficient, potentially decreasing the overall surgical time. A shorter procedure can reduce the patient's time under anesthesia and the risk of complications associated with prolonged surgery. 5. Enhanced Healing and Recovery: • Preserving more bone and reducing trauma to the surrounding tissues can lead to faster and more predictable healing. Patients may experience less postoperative pain, swelling, and a lower risk of complications such as dry socket (alveolar osteitis). 6. Reduced Risk of Nerve Injury: • For lower third molar extractions, the inferior alveolar nerve is a significant concern. The buccal trough technique can help avoid excessive manipulation or trauma to this nerve by providing a clear path for tooth sectioning and removal. In clinical practice, the decision to use the buccal trough technique is based on various factors, including the position and angulation of the impacted tooth, the density of the surrounding bone, and the proximity of vital structures. References: 1. Varghese, G. (2021). Management of impacted third molars. In K. Bonanthaya, E. Panneerselvam, S. Manuel, V. Kumar, & A. Rai (Eds.), Oral and maxillofacial surgery for the clinician (pp. 299-328). Springer. 2. Miloro, M., Ghali, G. E., Larsen, P. E., & Waite, P. (Eds.). (2022). Peterson's Principles of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (4th ed.). Springer. 3. Koerner, K. R. (2015). Manual of Minor Oral Surgery for the General Dentist (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell. 4. ChtGPT. 2024
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Had oral surgery and wondering how long it will take for your gums to heal? Understanding the recovery process, whether tooth extraction, gum surgery, or dental implants, is key. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gpaAfz5d #OralSurgery #ToothExtraction #DentistCasula #CasulaDentalClinic #Casula #CasulaNSW #CasulaDentalCare
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A study reviews 232 randomized controlled trials in oral and maxillofacial surgery, categorizing them into eight areas such as general medicine, outpatient anaesthesia and facial trauma. Key findings, summarized in tables, reveal most studies were single-centre with a median sample size of 46 and many had a moderate (66%) to high (28%) risk of bias. The discussion provides recommendations for future studies, including larger sample sizes, multicentre collaboration, detailed methodology and consideration of clinical equipoise and alternative study designs for complex outcomes. Source: Govind, A., Maughan, B.C. and Umer, S., 2024. Randomized Controlled Trials in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Randomized Controlled Trials in Evidence-Based Dentistry, pp.109-143.
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The Efficiency Catalyst - Empowering DSOs To Design, Integrate, & Launch Profitable Pediatric Anesthesia and Orthodontic Services with seamless efficiency using tech and AI | Blueprint Overbyte | Anesthesiologist |
3wThanks for sharing. It’s clear you’re focused on improving care and addressing gaps. Navigating challenges is part of the job, but it’s what needs to be done for patients.