Healthcare

To Become a Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in Ontario: Salary, Training, and Career Outlook.

by Occupations.ca Team
10 min read

Have you ever wondered who performs complex jaw Surgery, treats facial trauma, or removes impacted wisdom teeth when regular Dentistry is not enough? If you are drawn to surgery, patient care, and working at the intersection of dentistry and medicine, a career as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in Ontario may be the right path for you.

Job Description

Daily work activities

As an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon (OMFS) in Ontario, you diagnose and surgically treat conditions of the face, mouth, jaws, and neck. You work closely with dentists, orthodontists, physicians, and Hospital teams. Your day may include office consultations, imaging reviews, minor surgeries under local Anesthesia, and operating room cases under general anesthesia. You will often split time between a private surgical clinic and hospital settings.

You see patients of all ages for a wide range of needs—removing impacted wisdom teeth, placing dental implants, treating facial fractures, correcting jaw deformities (orthognathic surgery), managing pathology (cysts, tumors), and addressing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. You also manage medical emergencies and postoperative care, including pain control, bleeding, and infection Prevention.

Main tasks

  • Evaluate patients using clinical exams, CBCT/CT scans, X-rays, and medical histories.
  • Perform dentoalveolar surgery (e.g., wisdom teeth removal, complex extractions).
  • Place and manage dental implants and perform bone grafting/sinus augmentation.
  • Conduct orthognathic (jaw) surgery for bite, function, and facial balance.
  • Manage facial trauma (fractures of the jawbones, cheekbones, and orbital floor).
  • Diagnose and surgically treat pathology (biopsies, cyst/tumor removal).
  • Treat TMJ disorders (conservative care; selected surgical procedures).
  • Provide sedation and general anesthesia in-office (with RCDSO authorization).
  • Coordinate care with orthodontists, prosthodontists, ENTs, and plastics.
  • Oversee postoperative care, pain Management, and emergency follow-up.
  • Maintain detailed records, consent forms, and Compliance with Ontario standards.
  • Train and supervise clinical staff; participate in Quality Assurance and audits.

Required Education

Pathway overview

Becoming an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in Ontario is a multi-step process:

  1. Complete undergraduate university studies (typically a Bachelor’s degree).
  2. Earn an accredited DDS/DMD degree (4 years).
  3. Obtain licensure as a Dentist in Ontario (NDEB + RCDSO).
  4. Complete a CDAC-accredited Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency (4–6 years).
  5. Pass the National Dental Specialty Examination (NDSE) in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
  6. Register with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) as a dental specialist in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
  7. Obtain sedation/general anesthesia authorization (if providing those services in-office).
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Some residency programs include a graduate degree (e.g., MSc). In Canada, an MD is not required to practice OMFS in Ontario, though some surgeons hold one.

Diplomas and degrees

  • Certificate: Not sufficient for OMFS, but ACLS/PALS, BLS and anesthesia-related certifications are required/expected for sedation and OR work.
  • College Diploma: Not a route to becoming an OMFS. However, programs like dental assisting or dental hygiene can provide exposure to clinical dental environments if you are exploring the field before university.
  • Bachelor’s Degree: Recommended (often 3–4 years). Many students choose biomedical sciences, life sciences, or related majors; you must complete dental school prerequisites.
  • Professional Degree: DDS or DMD from a CDAC-accredited Canadian or U.S. dental school (4 years).
  • Specialty Training: CDAC-accredited OMFS residency (4–6 years). Some programs grant a Master’s degree alongside specialty training.

Length of studies

  • Bachelor’s degree: typically 3–4 years in Ontario.
  • DDS/DMD: 4 years.
  • OMFS residency: 4–6 years (program dependent).
    Overall, expect approximately 11–14+ years of Post-Secondary Education and training.

Licensing and certification in Ontario

Internationally trained dentists and specialists should review:

Where to study? (Ontario schools and useful links)

Undergraduate (examples across Ontario; choose a program that meets dental prerequisites):

Dental school (Ontario):

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency (Ontario):

Accreditation and professional bodies:

Salary and Working Conditions

Entry-level vs experienced salary

Most Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in Ontario work in fee-for-service private practice, often combined with hospital-based work. Income is usually gross billings, not a fixed salary, and varies by:

  • Case mix (dentoalveolar, implants, orthognathic, trauma)
  • Payer mix (private Insurance, self-pay)
  • Clinic ownership vs. associateship
  • Geographic location (GTA vs. mid-sized cities vs. Northern Ontario)
  • Operating room access and hospital call commitments
  • Overhead (staff, rent, equipment, anesthesia, sterilization standards, insurance)
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Typical patterns you may see in Ontario:

  • Entry-level (associate or early-owner): gross billings can often range from approximately $250,000 to $450,000+ in the first years, depending on case volume and setting.
  • Experienced/established: many practices report gross billings reaching $500,000 to $1,000,000+, especially with a high surgical and implant load.

Keep in mind:

  • Overhead in surgical dental practices can be 35–60%, depending on staffing, facility, and anesthesia services.
  • Hospital work may be remunerated differently and may not mirror private billings.
    For broader context, the Government of Canada Job Bank groups OMFS within “Dentists,” which shows high earning potential in Ontario; see current outlook and wages here: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/occupationtrend?occupation=31110&province=ON

Working conditions

  • Settings: Private surgical clinics, hospitals, and ambulatory surgical centres.
  • Hours: Clinic days, operating room blocks, and on-call rotations for facial trauma. Evenings and weekends may be required.
  • Physical demands: Standing for long procedures, precision with instruments, PPE use, and strict infection prevention and control.
  • Team environment: Collaboration with orthodontists, prosthodontists, ENTs, anesthesiologists, and nurses.
  • Compliance: You must meet RCDSO standards for sedation/general anesthesia, facility inspections, emergency preparedness, and patient Safety.

Job outlook (Ontario)

The job outlook for dentists in Ontario (including specialists such as OMFS) is generally good, with sustained demand in urban and many regional communities. Orthognathic and implant demand, population growth, and trauma services Support ongoing need for OMFS. Review the official outlook:

Consider regional needs: opportunities may be stronger outside large urban cores where specialist coverage is thinner.

Key Skills

Soft skills

  • Calm under pressure and able to make quick, safe decisions.
  • Empathy and strong communication with anxious patients and families.
  • Teamwork with surgeons, dentists, and hospital staff.
  • Leadership in clinics and operating rooms.
  • Attention to detail and situational awareness for anesthesia and surgical safety.
  • Time management for balancing clinic, OR, and call.

Hard skills

  • Surgical technique (extractions, grafting, implants, orthognathic, trauma).
  • Advanced airway management and knowledge of sedation/anesthesia protocols (as authorized by RCDSO).
  • Radiologic interpretation (panoramic, CBCT, CT).
  • Medical knowledge (pharmacology, systemic disease, wound healing, infection control).
  • Perioperative management (pain, bleeding, antibiotics, complications).
  • Digital planning (virtual surgical planning for jaw surgery, guided implant workflows).

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

  • High impact specialty that restores function and improves facial aesthetics.
  • Varied work: clinic procedures, hospital surgeries, trauma, and reconstruction.
  • Strong earning potential with practice ownership opportunities.
  • Collaborative practice with diverse healthcare teams.
  • Continuous innovation in digital planning, guided surgery, and biomaterials.
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Disadvantages

  • Long training pathway (11–14+ years).
  • Competitive entry into dental school and OMFS residency.
  • On-call demands for facial trauma and postoperative emergencies.
  • Significant overhead and regulatory requirements for sedation/general anesthesia facilities.
  • Physical demands and occupational risks (radiation, sharps, infection exposure).

Expert Opinion

If you are aiming for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Ontario, plan early and give yourself time to build a competitive profile. During your Bachelor’s degree, focus on strong science grades, lab experience, and meaningful clinical exposure. In dental school, seek OMFS electives, research projects, and shadowing. Letters of reference from surgeons who have seen your work ethic carry weight.

The Ontario pathway places heavy emphasis on accredited training and RCDSO compliance. Learn the RCDSO standards for sedation and general anesthesia before residency—understanding these early will serve you in clinics, ORs, and when you set up your own practice. If you are open to where you will work after training, consider regional and Northern Ontario communities, where the need can be high and referral networks strong.

Finally, commit to lifelong learning. Techniques in orthognathic surgery, TMJ management, and implant reconstruction evolve quickly. Joining organizations like OSOMS and CAOMS, attending Ontario-based continuing education, and collaborating with orthodontic and prosthodontic partners will keep your skills current and your practice thriving.

FAQ

Do I need an MD to become an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in Ontario?

No. In Ontario, OMFS is a dental specialty. You must complete a DDS/DMD and a CDAC-accredited OMFS residency and pass the NDSE to register as a specialist with the RCDSO. Some surgeons hold an MD depending on their residency path, but it is not required to practice OMFS in Ontario.

Can internationally trained oral surgeons work in Ontario without repeating residency?

Usually not directly. To register as an OMFS specialist in Ontario, you must:

  • Hold NDEB certification (or complete the equivalency process),
  • Pass the NDSE in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and
  • Meet RCDSO specialty requirements, which typically include completion of a CDAC-accredited OMFS program or recognized equivalent.
    Some may enter assessment/training pathways to meet equivalency, but you must confirm details with the RCDSO: https://www.rcdso.org/en/registration

What kind of anesthesia permits do I need to provide deep sedation or general anesthesia in my clinic?

You and your facility must be authorized by the RCDSO. This includes individual qualifications, emergency training (e.g., BLS/ACLS/PALS as applicable), equipment standards, medications, and emergency protocols, plus facility inspections. Review the RCDSO Standard of Practice on sedation/GA in dental practice: https://www.rcdso.org/en/standards-guidelines-resources/rcdso-standards-of-practice/use-of-sedation-and-general-anaesthesia-in-dental-practice

How competitive is OMFS residency in Ontario, and how can I strengthen my application?

OMFS is highly competitive. You can strengthen your application by:

  • Earning top grades in dental school, especially in surgical and medical sciences.
  • Completing OMFS electives, research, and conference presentations.
  • Obtaining strong references from Ontario OMFS faculty.
  • Demonstrating manual dexterity, professionalism, and leadership in clinical settings.
  • Gaining hospital exposure and understanding of anesthesia and perioperative care.

What insurance and memberships will I need once I practice in Ontario?

At a minimum, you’ll need professional liability insurance (often arranged through providers serving Ontario dentists), business insurance for your clinic, and appropriate coverage for surgical and anesthesia services. Many Ontario OMFS join:

  • Ontario Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (OSOMS): https://osoms.org/
  • Canadian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (CAOMS): https://www.caoms.org/
  • Ontario Dental Association (ODA): https://www.oda.ca/
    Membership supports continuing education, networking, and practice resources.

By following the Ontario-specific education, licensing, and practice standards—and by building strong clinical and teamwork skills—you can build a rewarding career as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon serving communities across the province.

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