Career Perceptions of Young Academic Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

PurposeTo evaluate the perceptions and motivation of young full-time academic oral and maxillofacial surgeons who chose a career in academia and their experiences as faculty members.Materials and MethodsAn 11-item questionnaire was sent to the chairman of all nonmilitary American Dental Association–accredited oral and maxillofacial surgery training programs (total of 90 training programs), requesting that this questionnaire be completed by all full-time faculty who completed surgical residency between 1997 and 2003.ResultsForty-eight completed surveys were included in this study.ConclusionsThe primary motivation to pursue a career in academic oral and maxillofacial surgery was the opportunity to perform major maxillofacial surgery, closely followed by a desire to teach dental students and surgical residents. Most respondents noted that they had the opportunity to pursue a faculty practice, and most believed that they worked in a supportive environment. However, several noted that they did not have faculty practice opportunities, and most did not have protected time to carry out research, administrative, or other scholarly activities.