By News Karnataka
Mangaluru: As India marks National Doctors鈥 Day, it is a time to honour the unwavering commitment of healthcare professionals. Amidst this celebration, a uniquely skilled yet often under-recognised speciality deserves its moment in the spotlight 鈥 Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS), a field that stands at the confluence of dentistry, medicine, and surgery.
A specialty forged in adversity
Rooted in wartime surgical interventions during World Wars I and II, OMFS has since evolved into a sophisticated, medically anchored dental discipline. It was officially recognised by the Dental Council of India in 1974, establishing itself as a vital link between the disciplines of dental care and surgical medicine.
Today, OMFS specialists are the backbone of treatments for facial trauma, jaw correction, oral cancer, temporomandibular joint disorders, cleft lip and palate repairs, and increasingly, facial aesthetic procedures. In fact, OMFS remains the only dental specialty authorised by the Dental Council of India to perform facial cosmetic surgeries 鈥 a reflection of its robust surgical training and anatomical expertise.
Dentistry as a strength, not a limitation
At a time when some younger professionals distance themselves from the dental identity, OMFS reminds the world that being a dentist is not a constraint but a competitive advantage. It offers an unmatched understanding of the face, jaws, and oral structures 鈥 both in function and aesthetics.
OMFS is more than a surgical specialty; it is a multi-dimensional domain of healthcare that restores appearance, speech, chewing, and quality of life to those affected by trauma, disease, or congenital anomalies.
Yenepoya: Shaping excellence in OMFS
At Yenepoya Dental College, the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery has grown into a centre of excellence. With ten dedicated faculty members, the department thrives on interdisciplinary synergy, regularly collaborating with Oncology, Anaesthesiology, General Surgery, Radiology, Plastic Surgery, and other dental specialties.
Located within a comprehensive healthcare campus that includes Yenepoya Medical College and the Zulekha Yenepoya Institute of Oncology 鈥 supported by Tata Trusts and the Tata Cancer Care Foundation 鈥 the department provides integrated care of international standards. As industrialist Ratan Tata once said, 鈥淚f you want to walk fast, walk alone. But if you want to walk far, walk together.鈥 This collaborative spirit defines Yenepoya鈥檚 OMFS team.
World-class infrastructure
The department is equipped with cutting-edge surgical and diagnostic technology, ensuring precision and optimal recovery outcomes. Notable facilities include:
Advanced Minor OT with lasers, electrocautery units, and piezoelectric surgical tools
These advancements place Yenepoya at the forefront of surgical education and care in the region.
A vision anchored in care and innovation
Looking ahead, the department鈥檚 vision is clear 鈥 to extend advanced care to underserved populations while continuing to innovate in education, research, and clinical practice. The postgraduate programme at Yenepoya stands out for its real-time surgical exposure, integrated with emerging technologies and compassionate care principles.
As India celebrates its doctors, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons stand tall as a vital force in healthcare, balancing science with compassion, and aesthetics with function. Their journey from the battlefield to the surgical theatre is not just a historical tale 鈥 it is an ongoing story of transformation, precision, and purpose.