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Oral surgeon vs doctor

The differences between oral surgeons and doctors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an oral surgeon has an average salary of $427,828, which is higher than the $208,582 average annual salary of a doctor.

The top three skills for an oral surgeon include patients, patient care and dental care. The most important skills for a doctor are patients, customer service, and emergency medicine.

Oral surgeon vs doctor overview

Oral SurgeonDoctor
Yearly salary$427,828$208,582
Hourly rate$205.69$100.28
Growth rate6%7%
Number of jobs23,38714,571
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 29%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Average age4648
Years of experience6-

What does an oral surgeon do?

Oral Surgeons consult with patients and analyze patient information to determine the patient's requirements and treatment objectives. They plan treatments by partnering with other professionals like orthodontists and restorative dentists. These professionals record patients' care by keeping comprehensive patient appointment notes relating to test results, prescribed treatments, prescribed tests, and comments. Besides administering local anesthetics and general anesthetics, where necessary, oral surgeons also prescribe medication that can control pain after surgical procedures and improve patient recovery.

What does a doctor do?

A doctor is a medical expert who diagnoses and treats illnesses and injuries, often specializing in particular areas. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting initial interviews and examinations, studying a patient's medical history and laboratory results, providing consultations and care advice, prescribing medication, and referring patients to specialists when necessary. They must also coordinate and maintain an active communication line with nurses, administrators, and technicians for a smooth workflow. Moreover, a doctor must educate patients about their health conditions, helping them understand their situation better.

Oral surgeon vs doctor salary

Oral surgeons and doctors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Oral SurgeonDoctor
Average salary$427,828$208,582
Salary rangeBetween $213,000 And $856,000Between $106,000 And $408,000
Highest paying CityMinneapolis, MNGreen Bay, WI
Highest paying stateVermontOhio
Best paying companySEARHCSaint Luke's Health System
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between oral surgeon and doctor education

There are a few differences between an oral surgeon and a doctor in terms of educational background:

Oral SurgeonDoctor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 29%Bachelor's Degree, 35%
Most common majorAdvanced Dentistry And Oral SciencesMedicine
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaDuke University

Oral surgeon vs doctor demographics

Here are the differences between oral surgeons' and doctors' demographics:

Oral SurgeonDoctor
Average age4648
Gender ratioMale, 25.2% Female, 74.8%Male, 45.8% Female, 54.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.2% Unknown, 3.3% Hispanic or Latino, 9.6% Asian, 17.4% White, 66.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 5.1% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 18.6% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage12%13%

Differences between oral surgeon and doctor duties and responsibilities

Oral surgeon example responsibilities.

  • Manage all incoming medical records requests (ensuring office is within HIPPA guidelines).
  • Assist oral surgeon with daily dental procedures such as tooth extraction, implant placement, soft tissue surgery.
  • Prepare patients and surgical suite for examinations and surgical procedures.
  • Count needles, instruments and sponges.
  • Follow OSHA and HIPAA rules and regulations.
  • Enter treatment plans into Dentrix computer program.
  • Show more

Doctor example responsibilities.

  • Manage conditions including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypothyroidism, asthma, and GERD.
  • Develop personalize treatment plans, rehabilitation plans, exercise plans, report of findings, nutritional plans and narrative reports.
  • Perform patient x-rays, provide MRI consultations.
  • Perform x-rays of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine.
  • Hire, train, educate and monitor staff in HIPPA policies and procedures.
  • Create, update, and maintain confidential patient EHRs in compliance with all HIPAA laws and regulations.
  • Show more

Oral surgeon vs doctor skills

Common oral surgeon skills
  • Patients, 46%
  • Patient Care, 19%
  • Dental Care, 9%
  • DMD, 6%
  • OSHA, 5%
  • Extraction, 3%
Common doctor skills
  • Patients, 33%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Emergency Medicine, 5%
  • Surgery, 5%
  • DR, 4%
  • Cleanliness, 3%

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