MINOR ORAL-SURGERY SPECIALIZATION IN GENERAL DENTAL PRACTICE

A practitioner with 4 years' hospital oral surgery experience undertoo k minor oral surgery procedures within a general dental practice over a 4-year period. The variety of work completed is shown. The National Health Service fees for the procedures indicate that a practice limite d to minor oral surgery is both practically and financially viable whe n referral fees and x-rays are included. Differences in the types of p rocedure undertaken by visiting 'specialist' practitioners and 'specia list' practices is highlighted. A population of 310 000 is suggested f or a 'specialist' practice in minor oral surgery to be feasible.