Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
Oral & maxillofacial surgeons treat the face, jaws and mouth surgically — from wisdom teeth to trauma and reconstruction.
₹6–35 LPA
typical rangeNEET UG
key entrance exam4 steps
school → career
About this career
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons in India are specialized dental professionals who perform surgical procedures on the mouth, jaws, and facial structures. Their day-to-day work involves diagnosing and treating complex conditions, ranging from routine wisdom tooth extractions and dental implants to managing severe facial trauma, congenital deformities like cleft lips, and oral cancer reconstructions.
In a typical Indian clinical setting, these surgeons balance time between outpatient consultations and operating theaters. They often collaborate with orthodontists and plastic surgeons to provide comprehensive care. Whether working in private practice or large multispecialty hospitals, they play a critical role in restoring both the functional ability and the aesthetic appearance of a patient's facial region.
This career is ideal for students who possess immense patience, steady hands, a deep interest in human anatomy, and the emotional resilience to handle high-stakes surgical emergencies.
What you'll actually do
A typical week in this role.
Performing complex tooth extractions and impacted wisdom teeth removals.
Treating facial fractures resulting from road traffic accidents.
Correcting jaw deformities through orthognathic surgery.
Conducting biopsies and surgical removal of oral tumors.
Placing dental implants to restore missing teeth and jaw function.
The path from school
The realistic route, one step at a time.
Class 11-12
Complete Higher Secondary education with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as core subjects.
Focus: Secure a high rank in the NEET UG entrance exam to qualify for a government or private dental college.
Undergraduate
Pursue the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree which includes a mandatory one-year rotatory internship.
Focus: Master fundamental dental anatomy, pathology, and clinical diagnostics during your internship.
Postgraduate
Clear the NEET-MDS entrance exam to secure a seat in the Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) program specializing in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Focus: Develop advanced surgical skills in trauma management, orthognathic surgery, and pathology under clinical supervision.
Entry & Licensing
Register with the Dental Council of India (DCI) or the respective State Dental Council to practice as a qualified specialist.
Focus: Obtain professional registration to legally perform oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures in hospitals or private practice.
What it pays in India
Indicative, conservative medians — real offers vary by city, college and company.
₹6LPA
Starting out₹15LPA
A few years in₹35LPA
ExperiencedThe honest picture
The upsides worth chasing — and the trade-offs to go in with eyes open.
Why people love it
High level of professional respect and social prestige.
Ability to significantly improve a patient's quality of life.
Excellent long-term earning potential as expertise grows.
What to weigh up
Extremely long and rigorous academic training period.
High-stress environment with unpredictable emergency call hours.
Physical exhaustion from standing for long surgical procedures.
How your career grows
A typical arc from your first role to leadership.
Junior Resident
Completing the MDS residency program while gaining foundational surgical skills under supervision.
Consultant Surgeon
Working in private clinics or hospitals performing independent surgeries and building a patient base.
Senior Consultant
Taking on complex reconstructive cases and mentoring junior surgeons or dental residents.
Head of Department/Professor
Leading surgical teams in medical colleges or hospitals while overseeing clinical policy and research.
The essentials
Exams, degrees, where people study, and the skills that matter.
Entrance exams
Degrees that get you there
Where people study this
Skills that matter
Who hires for this
Employers and organisations that recruit for this role in India.
All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)
Apollo Hospitals
Fortis Healthcare
Manipal Hospitals
Armed Forces Medical Services
Government Dental Colleges
Demand outlook
Steady demand in hospitals and specialised clinics; strong surgical scope.
How ready are you for this career?
Get your Career Readiness Index — a live 300–900 score built from what you actually do, that you, your parents and your school can watch improve.
