Undergraduate medical student exposure to OMFS, a future workforce concern-a narrative review of the literature.

introductionOral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) is a surgical specialty dealing with a broad spectrum of pathology affecting the head and neck. Despite a rising burden of head and neck conditions, exposure to OMFS in the undergraduate medical curriculum remains limited. This has consequences for medical undergraduates' competence and confidence in managing related conditions and their recruitment into this specialty.

methodsA literature search was conducted in September 2024 on Pubmed, Dynamed, DARE, EMBASE, Cochrane and BMJ electronic databases for articles published between 1970 and 2024. The review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024556491).

resultsTen studies involving 2,499 participants were included. Only 33.1% of students had experience in OMFS, with variations in exposure type ranging from formal teaching sessions to clinical placements. Most exposures were brief, typically less than a week, and often did not extend beyond basic lectures or shadowing. A notable proportion of students expressed a desire for more comprehensive training in OMFS. Only 12.8-37% of participants were considering a career in OMFS. Low interest rates were attributed to dual qualification requirements, cost and duration of training.

conclusionsThe findings highlight a major gap in OMFS education delivered by medical schools. This is concerning given that OMFS in the UK is struggling to fill higher surgical training posts. If interest in the profession remains low, we may encounter a recruitment and workforce crisis. Future strategies must focus on meaningful opportunities to increase OMFS experience in the medical curriculum while addressing other barriers to recruitment and retention.