Home › Healthcare Practitioners › Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

How an oral / maxillofacial surgeon can use AI, task by task

O*NET 29-1022.00: Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeonsMedian pay $352,220/year (BLS, May 2025)15 tasksJob Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Perform surgery and related procedures on the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial regions to treat diseases, injuries, or defects. May diagnose problems of the oral and maxillofacial regions. May perform surgery to improve function or appearance.

Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: DDS (Dental Surgery Doctor), Maxillofacial Surgeon, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Resident, Oral Surgeon, Surgeon.

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 0%AI-assist 12%Stays human 88%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 0 AI-ready, 1 AI-assist and 14 human-led tasks out of 15. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork
Thinking & planning
People & communication
Leading & teaching
Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

🗓 Start here on Monday

The most frequent, most important tasks where AI can help right away.

  1. Evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth to determine whether problems exist currently or might occur in the future.Crunch the numbers · Several times a day

💪 Lean into these

Core tasks that stay human. These skills get more valuable as the routine work gets automated.

  1. Remove impacted, damaged, and non-restorable teeth.Hands-on care · Hourly or more
  2. Administer general and local anesthetics.Hands-on care · Several times a day
  3. Perform surgery to prepare the mouth for dental implants and to aid in the regeneration of deficient bone and gum tissues.Hands-on care · Daily

AI can draft these 0

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

None of this job's tasks are here.

AI can help you prep these 1

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth to determine whether problems exist currently or might occur in the future.

Several times a day

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as an oral / maxillofacial surgeon. Part of my job is to evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth to determine whether problems exist currently or might occur in the future.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and therapy and counseling.
Data: [de-identified records, trends]
Goal: [treatment planning]

Identify patterns and needs. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Patient needs analysis

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you evaluate the position of the wisdom teeth.
Step 2Fill in [Data] and [Goal] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 4.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals..

These stay human 14

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Physical closeness to others: very close (near touching) · Face-to-face discussions: every day · Contact with others: constant contact with others · Using hands on tools and objects: continually or almost continually

Remove impacted, damaged, and non-restorable teeth.

Hourly or more

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can help around the care: plain-language explanations for patients, study and revision, checklists and paperwork drafts. Use only tools your employer has approved for health information.

Prep prompt

I work as an oral / maxillofacial surgeon. Part of my job is to remove impacted, damaged, and non-restorable teeth.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and therapy and counseling.
Treatment: [filling, occlusion, disease]
Patient group: [general]

Write plain-language explanations and aftercare. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Dental treatment explanation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you remove impacted, damaged and non-restorable teeth (today).
Step 2Fill in [Treatment] and [Patient group] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Compare it line by line with your protocol. Your protocol always wins.

Importance 4.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Treat dental problems or diseases..

Administer general and local anesthetics.

Several times a day

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can help around the care: plain-language explanations for patients, study and revision, checklists and paperwork drafts. Use only tools your employer has approved for health information.

Prep prompt

I work as an oral / maxillofacial surgeon. Part of my job is to administer general and local anesthetics.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and therapy and counseling.
Procedure type: [general]
Agents: [local, general]

Summarize safety checks and monitoring as study notes. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Anesthesia prep notes

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you administer general and local anesthetics.
Step 2Fill in [Procedure type] and [Agents] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Compare it line by line with your protocol. Your protocol always wins.

Importance 4.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Administer anesthetics or sedatives to control pain..

Perform surgery to prepare the mouth for dental implants and to aid in the regeneration of deficient bone and gum tissues.

Daily

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can help around the care: plain-language explanations for patients, study and revision, checklists and paperwork drafts. Use only tools your employer has approved for health information.

Prep prompt

I work as an oral / maxillofacial surgeon. Part of my job is to perform surgery to prepare the mouth for dental implants and to aid in the regeneration of deficient bone and gum tissues.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and therapy and counseling.
Procedure: [type]
Key steps: [describe]

Summarize as study notes with risks and patient education points. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Surgical case prep notes

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you perform surgery (today).
Step 2Fill in [Procedure] and [Key steps] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Your training and guidelines are the authority.

Importance 4.5/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Operate on patients to treat conditions..

Collaborate with other professionals, such as restorative dentists and orthodontists, to plan treatment.

Daily

Human connection. Use AI only before and after, to prepare.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI before and after, not during. Prepare talking points, practise a hard conversation, or turn your notes into a follow-up.

Prep prompt

I work as an oral / maxillofacial surgeon. Part of my job is to collaborate with other professionals, such as restorative dentists and orthodontists, to plan treatment.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and therapy and counseling.
Case: [general, no identifiers]
Question: [what you need from colleagues]

Prepare a summary, the question and options. Then play the colleague. Suggest ways to open, phrases to avoid, and how to handle it if things get tense. Then play the other person so I can practice.

10-minute exercise: Interdisciplinary consult prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you collaborate with other professionals, such as restorative dentists (today).
Step 2Fill in [Case] and [Question] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3After the real conversation, write down what worked so you can reuse it.

Importance 4.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment..

Treat infections of the oral cavity, salivary glands, jaws, and neck.

Weekly

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can help around the care: plain-language explanations for patients, study and revision, checklists and paperwork drafts. Use only tools your employer has approved for health information.

Prep prompt

I work as an oral / maxillofacial surgeon. Part of my job is to treat infections of the oral cavity, salivary glands, jaws, and neck.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and therapy and counseling.
Condition type: [infection, injury]
Setting: [describe]

Summarize treatment approach as study notes. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Acute treatment review

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you treat infections of the oral cavity, salivary glands (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Condition type] and [Setting] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Compare it line by line with your protocol. Your protocol always wins.

Importance 4.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Treat acute illnesses, infections, or injuries..

Treat problems affecting the oral mucosa, such as mouth ulcers and infections.

Weekly

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can help around the care: plain-language explanations for patients, study and revision, checklists and paperwork drafts. Use only tools your employer has approved for health information.

Prep prompt

I work as an oral / maxillofacial surgeon. Part of my job is to treat problems affecting the oral mucosa, such as mouth ulcers and infections.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and therapy and counseling.
Condition type: [infection, injury]
Setting: [describe]

Summarize treatment approach as study notes. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Acute treatment review

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you treat problems affecting the oral mucosa (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Condition type] and [Setting] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Compare it line by line with your protocol. Your protocol always wins.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Treat acute illnesses, infections, or injuries..

Remove tumors and other abnormal growths of the oral and facial regions, using surgical instruments.

Monthly

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can help around the care: plain-language explanations for patients, study and revision, checklists and paperwork drafts. Use only tools your employer has approved for health information.

Prep prompt

I work as an oral / maxillofacial surgeon. Part of my job is to remove tumors and other abnormal growths of the oral and facial regions, using surgical instruments.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and therapy and counseling.
Procedure: [type]
Key steps: [describe]

Summarize as study notes with risks and patient education points. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Surgical case prep notes

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you remove tumors and other abnormal growths of the oral.
Step 2Fill in [Procedure] and [Key steps] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Your training and guidelines are the authority.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Operate on patients to treat conditions..

Evaluate and treat problems related to the temperomandibular joint (TMJ).

Weekly

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can help around the care: plain-language explanations for patients, study and revision, checklists and paperwork drafts. Use only tools your employer has approved for health information.

Prep prompt

I work as an oral / maxillofacial surgeon. Part of my job is to evaluate and treat problems related to the temperomandibular joint (TMJ).

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and therapy and counseling.
Treatment: [filling, occlusion, disease]
Patient group: [general]

Write plain-language explanations and aftercare. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Dental treatment explanation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you evaluate and treat problems to the temperomandibular joint (TMJ) (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Treatment] and [Patient group] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Compare it line by line with your protocol. Your protocol always wins.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Treat dental problems or diseases.. Also involves: Evaluate patient functioning, capabilities, or health.; Treat chronic diseases or disorders..

Provide emergency treatment of facial injuries including facial lacerations, intra-oral lacerations, and fractured facial bones.

Monthly

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can help around the care: plain-language explanations for patients, study and revision, checklists and paperwork drafts. Use only tools your employer has approved for health information.

Prep prompt

I work as an oral / maxillofacial surgeon. Part of my job is to provide emergency treatment of facial injuries including facial lacerations, intra-oral lacerations, and fractured facial bones.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and therapy and counseling.
Emergency type: [facial injury, cardiac arrest]
Setting: [describe]

Summarize algorithms as study notes and quiz me. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Emergency treatment review

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you provide emergency treatment of facial injuries.
Step 2Fill in [Emergency type] and [Setting] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Use official algorithms (e.g. ACLS) as the authority. Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site procedure before you rely on it.

Safety-critical: AI output is a starting point. Follow your site's procedures and the manufacturer's guidance.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Treat medical emergencies..

Perform surgery on the mouth and jaws to treat conditions such as cleft lip, cleft palate, and jaw growth problems.

A few times a year

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can help around the care: plain-language explanations for patients, study and revision, checklists and paperwork drafts. Use only tools your employer has approved for health information.

Prep prompt

I work as an oral / maxillofacial surgeon. Part of my job is to perform surgery on the mouth and jaws to treat conditions such as cleft lip, cleft palate, and jaw growth problems.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and therapy and counseling.
Procedure: [type]
Key steps: [describe]

Summarize as study notes with risks and patient education points. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Surgical case prep notes

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you perform surgery.
Step 2Fill in [Procedure] and [Key steps] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Your training and guidelines are the authority.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Operate on patients to treat conditions..

Restore form and function by moving skin, bone, nerves, and other tissues from other parts of the body to reconstruct the jaws and face.

A few times a year

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can help around the care: plain-language explanations for patients, study and revision, checklists and paperwork drafts. Use only tools your employer has approved for health information.

Prep prompt

I work as an oral / maxillofacial surgeon. Part of my job is to restore form and function by moving skin, bone, nerves, and other tissues from other parts of the body to reconstruct the jaws and face.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and therapy and counseling.
Procedure: [type]
Key steps: [describe]

Summarize as study notes with risks and patient education points. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Surgical case prep notes

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you restore form and function.
Step 2Fill in [Procedure] and [Key steps] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Your training and guidelines are the authority.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Operate on patients to treat conditions..

Perform minor cosmetic procedures, such as chin and cheekbone enhancements.

A few times a year

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can help around the care: plain-language explanations for patients, study and revision, checklists and paperwork drafts. Use only tools your employer has approved for health information.

Prep prompt

I work as an oral / maxillofacial surgeon. Part of my job is to perform minor cosmetic procedures, such as chin and cheekbone enhancements.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and therapy and counseling.
Procedure: [type]
Key steps: [describe]

Summarize as study notes with risks and patient education points. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Surgical case prep notes

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you perform minor cosmetic procedures.
Step 2Fill in [Procedure] and [Key steps] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Your training and guidelines are the authority.

Importance 2.7/5 · O*NET work activity: Operate on patients to treat conditions..

Perform minor facial rejuvenation procedures, including the use of Botox and laser technology.

A few times a year

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can help around the care: plain-language explanations for patients, study and revision, checklists and paperwork drafts. Use only tools your employer has approved for health information.

Prep prompt

I work as an oral / maxillofacial surgeon. Part of my job is to perform minor facial rejuvenation procedures, including the use of Botox and laser technology.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and therapy and counseling.
Condition: [describe]
Goals: [management]

Prepare patient education and follow-up plan. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Chronic condition support

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you perform minor facial rejuvenation procedures.
Step 2Fill in [Condition] and [Goals] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Compare it line by line with your protocol. Your protocol always wins.

Importance 2.4/5 · O*NET work activity: Treat chronic diseases or disorders..

Treat snoring problems, using laser surgery.

A few times a year

Hands-on care. AI only helps with prep, explanations and paperwork.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI can help around the care: plain-language explanations for patients, study and revision, checklists and paperwork drafts. Use only tools your employer has approved for health information.

Prep prompt

I work as an oral / maxillofacial surgeon. Part of my job is to treat snoring problems, using laser surgery.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and therapy and counseling.
Procedure: [type]
Key steps: [describe]

Summarize as study notes with risks and patient education points. Keep it free of any patient details, add plain-language wording I can use with people, and list the warning signs that mean I should escalate.

10-minute exercise: Surgical case prep notes

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you treat snoring problems.
Step 2Fill in [Procedure] and [Key steps] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Your training and guidelines are the authority.

Importance 3.1/5 · O*NET work activity: Operate on patients to treat conditions..

Get the full prompt pack for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Every task, prompt and 10-minute exercise on this page in one PDF, formatted to print or keep on your desktop. Free.

Where should we send your PDF?

Your Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons prompt pack downloads straight away, and a copy goes to your inbox.

We'll also send occasional updates about this playbook. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy

Your next moves

Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

  • Active Listeningimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Assisting and Caring for Others
  • Speakingimportance 3.9/5
    Used in: Assisting and Caring for Others
  • Monitoringimportance 3.9/5
    Used in: Assisting and Caring for Others
  • Social Perceptivenessimportance 3.8/5
    Used in: Assisting and Caring for Others

With AI Use these to work with AI

When AI does the first draft, these are the skills you use to brief it and check what comes back.

  • Critical Thinkingimportance 4.1/5
    Used in: Analyzing Data or Information
  • Reading Comprehensionimportance 4.0/5
    Used in: Analyzing Data or Information

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

  • Anesthesiologists84% human-led · Same preparation · $391,490/yr · usually post-doctoral trainingSkills to build: Operations Monitoring, Time Management, Instructing
  • Podiatrists91% human-led · Same preparation · $160,300/yr · usually doctoral degreeSkills to build: Active Listening

New tasks appearing in this job

O*NET has started tracking 1 new or updated task here: 0 AI-ready, 0 AI-assist, 1 stays human. They have no worker ratings yet, so they aren't counted in the bar above.

Read and evaluate imaging, such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for diagnosis and treatment.

New in O*NET

Your accountable call. Use AI as a sounding board beforehand.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: Use AI as a sounding board before you decide. Ask it to argue the other side, list what you might be overlooking, or organize the evidence.

Prep prompt

I work as an oral / maxillofacial surgeon. Part of my job is to read and evaluate imaging, such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for diagnosis and treatment.

Context: The work draws on medicine and dentistry, biology and therapy and counseling.
I'm making the call, but I want to pressure-test my thinking.

The situation, with private details removed: [describe it]
What I'm leaning toward and why: [your view]
Factors that usually matter here: [computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for diagnosis and treatment]

Argue the strongest case against my view, list factors I may be overlooking, and say what extra information would change the decision.

10-minute exercise: Pressure-test: imaging

Step 1Pick the next real decision where you read and evaluate imaging, before you've committed.
Step 2Write the situation in [describe it] and your honest lean in [your view], then read the case against it.
Step 3Make the decision yourself. Afterward, note whether the counter-argument changed anything.

New O*NET task (08/2026). O*NET hasn't linked it to work activities yet, so it was labelled by hand.

Getting into this job

Post-doctoral training is most common (72% of workers)

  • Graduate degree 100%
  • On-the-job training: up to 1 month
  • Related experience: 4–6 years
  • Professional certification: important (4.8/5)

What workers in this job report, from O*NET surveys (typical values).

Software in this job

O*NET lists no in-demand software for this job.