Subject Hub

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery

Exodontia, impactions, local anesthesia, odontogenic infections, biopsies, and medical risk assessment — structured for OSCE, viva, and board exams.

What examiners focus on

  • Indications for simple vs surgical extraction and forceps selection
  • Third molar impaction classification (Winter's, Pell & Gregory) and surgical planning
  • IANB and other LA techniques — landmarks, dosage, and failure troubleshooting
  • LA complications — systemic toxicity, nerve injury, haematoma
  • Odontogenic infection spread — fascial spaces, Ludwig's angina, and airway management
  • Antibiotic prescribing in surgery — when, which, and why
  • Medical risk assessment — ASA classification, anticoagulants, bisphosphonates

5 tips for oral surgery exams

  1. Extraction vivas always start with "indications and contraindications" — have a clean list ready.
  2. For impaction questions, classify first (Winter's + Pell & Gregory), then describe the surgical steps in order.
  3. IANB technique questions expect you to name the landmark, needle position, and depth — practice saying it out loud.
  4. Infection spread questions test anatomy — know which spaces connect and when it becomes life-threatening.
  5. Medical history OSCE stations want you to identify the risk AND modify your plan — don't just list conditions.