Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Perform surgery and related procedures on the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial regions to treat diseases, injuries, or defects. May diagnose problems of the oral and maxillofacial regions. May perform surgery to improve function or appearance.

The occupation of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons has an automation risk of 10.5%, closely aligning with the base risk of 10.7%. This relatively low risk suggests that while certain components of the profession can be automated, the majority of critical tasks require advanced human skills and clinical judgment. Tasks such as administering general and local anesthetics, collaborating with other dental professionals to plan treatment, and evaluating the position of wisdom teeth are some of the most automatable aspects of the job. Advances in robotics and AI may streamline anesthetic delivery or preliminary diagnostic processes, increasing efficiency and supporting surgeons in routine procedures. Despite these advances, a significant portion of tasks performed by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons remains resistant to automation. For example, treating snoring problems using laser surgery, performing minor facial rejuvenation techniques like Botox and laser treatments, and conducting cosmetic procedures such as chin and cheekbone enhancements all require highly specialized manual dexterity, aesthetic judgment, and adaptability. These procedures often demand real-time decision-making in response to a patient’s unique anatomical and physiological characteristics, something current AI and robotic systems struggle to replicate. Furthermore, the physician-patient relationship and nuanced communication necessary in surgical practice add another layer of complexity that is not easily automated. A key factor limiting automation is the high level of originality required for many tasks in the field. With bottleneck skills such as originality marked at 3.3% and 3.8%, the occupation demands creative problem-solving and the ability to devise novel approaches when standard protocols do not suffice. Each patient can present unique surgical challenges, complications, or desired cosmetic outcomes, requiring surgeons to adapt existing knowledge and techniques on the fly. The need for original thought and creative decision-making acts as a significant barrier to automation, ensuring the continued necessity of skilled human professionals in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.