Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons for Medico-Legal Matters
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are uniquely qualified to provide expert medico-legal opinions in cases involving facial trauma, dental negligence, workplace or public liability injuries and criminal cases. Their dual medical and dental training makes them vital contributors to legal proceedings where injuries to the head, face, jaws, or oral structures are in question. Read below to learn about the medico-legal insights a Maxillofacial Surgeon can provide.
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What is an Oral-Maxillofacial Surgeon?
An Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon (OMFS) is a medical professional who specialises in diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries, and defects affecting the head, mouth, neck, and jaw. They also treat issues with the hard and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. The most common issues they’re called upon to assess include facial fractures, dental surgery, head trauma, and cancer of the head and neck.
What Conditions Do Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons Treat?
Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons manage conditions related to trauma to the head or neck, surgical face reconstruction, dental conditions involving oral surgery, facial fractures and pain, as well as cancer of the jaw, oral cavity, or facial bones.
How Do Maxillofacial Surgeons Work with Red Health?
OMFSs in the Red Health Referral Network offer reliable medico-legal opinions on head, neck, and facial injuries with the highest level of professionalism and confidentiality. Each of our clients will gain insight into the vast knowledge and expertise of an OFM to support their case.
Red Health doesn’t offer appointments with our Referral Network Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons for treatment – appointments with Red Health are only for providing medico-legal reports.
What Subspecialties Do Maxillofacial Surgeons Have?
There are two subspecialties covered by Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons. These include:
Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery
Head and Neck Surgery
What Matters and Conditions Can Oral Surgeons Assess?
Matters
Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons in the Red Health Referral Network are often engaged in medico-legal claims related to their subspecialty. They provide important insights and expert opinions into matters related to misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, assessing claims post-surgery, follow-up and monitoring procedures, and an in-depth review of past medical records.
Effects of Medication on Dentition
It’s a known cause of some medications to affect the dental environment. In particular, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) have been linked with xerostomia, potentially leading to compounding dental decay. Xerostomia is commonly called “dry mouth”.
In addition, some medications may be high in sugar, complicating any existing or pre-existing dental issues.
Combination of Mental Health, Treatment and Oral Self-care
Most matters referred to OMFS are a tightly intertwined series of events and conditions. In some circumstances, the intersection of an examinee’s mental health, medication load and variety can affect an examinee’s oral self-care. This can affect pre-existing conditions or cause dental issues.
Conditions
Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons provide their medical views on conditions rooted in their specialty, addressing conditions like:
- Chronic facial pain
- Jaw clenching
- Facial fractures
- Head and oral cancers
- External factors in Personal Injury Cases
- TMJ disorders
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Industrial accidents
- Sporting injuries
- Interpersonal violence
Medico-Legal FAQ for Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons
Can I consult an Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon via Red Health for treatment?
Red Health primarily connects clients with OMFSs for medico-legal cases. For treatment purposes, please contact your primary healthcare provider to discuss your options.
Could the opinion of an OMF Surgeon in a medico-legal case differ from that of a General Practitioner?
Yes, the opinion you receive from an OMF Surgeon in a medico-legal case could differ from that of other medical professionals. In legal or insurance matters, their specialised knowledge can assess all conditions relevant to the case to provide a more nuanced view.
What is the role of an Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon in legal assessments?
During medico-legal assessments, an OMF Surgeon evaluates the diagnosis process and ongoing treatments, reviews preventative measures, and examines post-operative care. Their specialist opinion helps clarify medical issues in legal proceedings through expert testimony.
How long does a medico-legal consultation with an OMF typically last?
This will depend on the complexity of the case and will be tailored to suit each situation, but it can range anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours. Providing all relevant medical records and documents beforehand ensures your client will receive a detailed assessment.
Is the opinion of an OMF Surgeon in medico-legal matters considered conclusive?
While an Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon’s expertise and dedicated training make their opinion highly regarded, ultimately, their assessment in medico-legal matters is part of a greater, comprehensive judgement, and other medical opinions may affect the final decision of the case.
What is the difference between a Dentist and an Oral-Maxillofacial Surgeon?
A general dentist treats common dental issues, such as cavities, gum disease, and tooth extractions. Meanwhile, Oral-Maxillofacial Surgeons are specialised in diagnosing and surgically treating diseases, injuries, and defects affecting the mouth, jaw, face, or neck.
Common Oral Maxillofacial acronyms explained >>
OMS/OMFS
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
TMJ
Temporomandibular Joint
TMD
Temporomandibular Disorders
FRACDS
Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons
AAOMS
Australian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
BDS
Bachelor of Dental Surgery
MD
Doctor of Medicine
MS
Master of Surgery
Education, Certification, and Training for Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons
To offer their professional opinions in medico-legal matters, Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons should have comprehensive first-hand experience in treating head, face, and neck injuries, especially with the relevant specialisms related to the case.
They should also be equipped to speak on legal matters in court as an expert witness. They may need additional training to improve their public speaking skills to better communicate their medical knowledge in the courtroom.
