Who is an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon?

During World War I, the large number of destructive facial wounds led to an increased demand for facial surgeons. At that time, the specialties of plastic surgery and oral and maxillofacial surgery did not exist and very few general surgeons were prepared to treat these patients. Instead of being surgically reconstructed, deformed faces were covered by masks. To address this demand, the American Society of Oral Surgeons and Exodontists was established in 1921. This name was used until 1946, when it was replaced by the American Society of Oral Surgeons. In 1975, the name was changed to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (OMS).