The role of an Oral Surgeon

Dental titles can sometimes be confusing. General dental practitioners (dentists/dental surgeons) are usually your first point of contact for oral health care. They are trained to manage a wide range of dental needs and play a central role in your ongoing dental care.

However, there are times when you might be referred to a dental specialist—a practitioner who has undergone additional years of training to focus exclusively on a specific area of dentistry.

Oral Surgery is a specialised field within dentistry that deals with the diagnosis and surgical management of conditions affecting the oral and dento-alveolar tissues. A dental practitioner who has completed formal postgraduate training in this area is known as an Oral Surgeon. ​Patients are often referred to an Oral Surgeon by their general dental practitioner, another dental specialist, or their medical practitioner.

While many general dental practitioners are skilled and experienced in a wide range of surgical dentistry procedures, they may refer you to an Oral Surgeon if your case requires specialist expertise or is beyond their regular scope of practice. Your Oral Surgeon will work closely with your referring practitioner to ensure that your care is coordinated, safe, and successful—from diagnosis through to recovery.