Noobie Dentist Podcast - The Journey of an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon with Mr. Aaron Thomas

Oct 26 2020 46 mins 4

The Noobie Dentist Podcast – Dr Aaron Thomas

Episode Run Time: 00:46:58

Intro

In this week’s episode I had the awesome opportunity to chat with Mr. Aaron Thomas (see bio below). Mr. Thomas is an OMFS in Melbourne, Austrlaia and has become an amazing mentor for myself and my co-residents this year. In this episode we talk about the speciality of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, what it takes to get in, what it takes to get through the program, and what is required to become a successful surgeon. We also talk a little about the history and Dr Aaron discusses some trends on the horizon in the future for the field of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Guest Bio

Mr Aaron Thomas is a dual-qualified Specialist Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon (OMS). Aaron completed his undergraduate dental degree (BDSc) at the University of Western Australia, and upon graduation worked for a year as a fly-in/fly-out dentist serving remote & Indigenous communities throughout Western Australia. He completed his medical degree (MBBS) as well as an Honours science degree (BSci(Dent)Hons) at The University of Adelaide, while concurrently working in the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Unit at The Royal Adelaide Hospital and Adelaide Dental Hospital. After the required 2 years working as a medical intern and surgical resident, Aaron was selected into the Victorian & Tasmanian program for specialist OMS training. After 4 years rotating through the major hospitals in Melbourne and Hobart, Aaron passed the Final examinations and was awarded the specialist Fellowship, FRACDS(OMS). He is currently undertaking a subspecialty Fellowship in TMJ Surgery at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne; other areas of clinical interest including dentoalveolar surgery, maxillofacial trauma surgery and surgical correction of dentofacial deformity.

Guest Details

Social Media:

Dr Aaron Thomas - LinkedIn

Time Stamps

[00:03:25] Why Dr Aaron chose healthcare

[00:06:03] The history of maxillofacial surgery

[00:09:43] The decisions and qualities that led Dr Aaron to OMFS

[00:15:17] What to expect from OMFS training

[00:18:05] Dr Aaron’s first solo fractured mandible

[00:19:45] Achieving excellence in the speciality

[00:23:59] OMFS war stories

[00:28:54] The options for OMFS surgeons after training

[00:32:13] The future of technology in maxillofacial surgery and Virtual Surgical Planning

[00:36:22] Does relying on technology lower surgical ability?

[00:38:38] Recommendations for choosing and pursuing a speciality

[00:41:51] The importance of serving in public hospitals and work-life balance

Podcast Details

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Sponsor Details

Ivoclar Vivadent is one of the world's leading and most innovative dental companies, offering a comprehensive range of products and systems that provide you with new opportunities in dentistry – for even more aesthetic and efficient results and better dental care for patients. 'Making People Smile' – It's what they do!

To find out more, visit www.ivoclarvivadent.com.au

Headline Quote

[21:05 - 21:26]

I think your approach to what you are trying to achieve with every operation, like, whether you are going for clinical excellence, or the perfect X-ray or, you know, some other kind of technical virtuosity, I think that is less important than remembering that at the end of your scalpel is a patient.

Conclusion

Were you inspired by Dr Aaron Thomas’s story? Are you considering specialising? Do you have a particular interest in OMFS? We would love to hear your thoughts!