Modern surgery has developed to such an extent that the body of knowledge and technical skills required have led to surgeons specialising in particular areas, usually an anatomical area of the body or occasionally in a particular technique or type of patient.

There are ten surgical specialties and this briefing covers  Maxillofacial surgery

The specialty of Maxillafacial and maxillofacial surgery is unique in requiring a dual qualification in medicine and dentistry, followed by a comprehensive general and specialist surgical training, and is a recognised international specialty, which within Europe is defined under the medical directives. Most surgeons acquire a degree in dentistry before training in medicine, but it is becoming increasingly common for those acquiring a medical degree to subsequently undertake a dental qualification and then pursue a career in OMFS.