End-of-Life Issues for the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

The oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS) plays a critical role when it comes to listening and answering patients' questions regarding prognosis, course of treatment, and overall expectations of what lies ahead. The OMS should remain an advocate for the patient, always keeping in mind that it is the patient's wishes that must be respected. The surgeon should champion patients' autonomy and cooperate with their families and other clinicians to ensure that patients have a "good death," defined as one that is pain free, peaceful, and dignified, at a place of their choosing with the relatives present and without futile heroic interventions. Indeed, the relationship and open communication between patient and surgeon may be one of the best treatments that the patient can have.