Working during the second degree: A survey of dentally qualified medical students pursuing a career in OMFS

Attaining degrees in both medicine and dentistry to forge a career in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) comes at a considerable financial cost. To fund a second degree most must work alongside their full-time studies. This study aims to assess the current working roles and patterns of those qualified in dentistry, studying medicine to pursue a career in OMFS. An online survey was created following a comprehensive literature review. Sixteen questions were included to collect data regarding the working patterns and roles of dentally qualified medical students. Responses from 45 students in the UK were included. Working in OMFS was undertaken by 96%, with 49% working in an OMFS unit associated with their university. First on-call OMFS roles were worked by 78%, with 38% doing second on-call work. Night shifts were worked by 84%. Roles providing primary dental care were undertaken by 31%. The work undertaken had a positive or strong positive effect on the OMFS skill set of 62%, and 84% wished to gain more operative experience in theatre. Most second-degree trainees are working in on-call OMFS roles encompassing night shifts. Many feel they are advancing their clinical skills but wish to gain more operative experience in theatre.