Geographic Trends in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Match

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Residency Matching
• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Background:

• Matching into Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) residency in the US is highly competitive.
• A geographic relationship between medical school and residency location is observed in other specialties, but not yet studied for OMS.
• Understanding this relationship can inform applicant and program strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the geographic location of dental school and the matching location for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency.
• To determine if applicants are more likely to match into OMS programs within the same US region or division as their dental school.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional review was conducted on civilian OMS applicants participating in the Postdoctoral OMS Matching Program from 2012 to 2022.
• Applicant dental school location and OMS residency match location were analyzed using US Census Bureau regions and divisions.
• Statistical analysis included frequency tables, chi-squared tests, odds ratios, and confidence intervals (P < .05).

Main Results:

• Of 968 eligible applicants, 48.45% matched into OMS residency in the same US Region as their dental school (P < .001).
• Furthermore, 36.26% matched into the same US Division as their dental school (P < .001).
• Applicants demonstrated a statistically significant likelihood of matching into OMS residency programs located in the same US Region and Division as their dental school.

Conclusions:

• A significant geographic correlation exists between dental school location and OMS residency placement.
• Individuals are more likely to match into OMS residency programs within the same US Region and Division where they completed dental school.
• This finding provides valuable insights for both prospective OMS residents and residency program directors during the competitive matching process.