The Scope of Oral and Maxillofacial Training in Nigeria: The Trainees Perspective

Abstract

Background: The standard of care provided to patients by OMF surgeons is determined by the quality of training received in the sub-specialty areas.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the perception of OMFS trainees on the scope of OMFS training in Nigeria.
Method: A cross sectional study was conducted among OMFS trainees in Nigeria. The questionnaire obtained information on the respondent's bio data, the scope of training of the oral and maxillofacial resident, and the perception of the trainee on the adequacy of the current training curriculum. Thirty eight respondents were obtained from a total of Forty-five Residents in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the country.
Results: The most observed and assisted procedure was trauma (94.9% and 82.1% respectively); while the least observed and assisted procedure was microvascular surgery (56.4% and 71.8% respectively). Trauma surgeries accounted for the most performed procedure (69.2%), while implantology (94.9%) and orthognathic surgical procedures (94.9%) were the least performed. Fifty four percent of respondents think the training curriculum in Nigeria covers the scope of the specialty.
Conclusion: The scope of training of OMF surgeons appears to be adequate in the country, but there is room for improvement in the subspecialties of implantology, orthognathic and microvascular surgery.

Keywords: Oral and maxillofacial surgery, scope, practice, Trainees, Nigeria