The scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery in Australia and New Zealand. A postal survey.

The current scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery in Australia and New Zealand was explored with a survey of full members of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons resident in the region. There was an 83 per cent usable response rate and the objectivity of the data was confirmed by check questions and material from other sources. The study showed that oral and maxillofacial surgery is the surgical specialty of dentistry with the core of referral and surgical services being dento-alveolar. However, the essential knowledge of the anatomy, pathology, and surgery of the orofacial region forms the basis for the wider scope of modern oral and maxillofacial surgery. Current surgery includes management of trauma, pathology, dentofacial deformity, and a wide range of reconstructive surgery including grafts and implants.