Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Salary

Senior Medical Officers receive a base salary relative to their level of experience. This is agreed upon at the time of the job offer. There is a 15-step pay scale that SMOs continue to progress through on a yearly basis.

In New Zealand, the salaries and benefits of some roles are determined by collective agreements between unions and employers.

Employment agreementsexternal link

Additional allowances are paid on top of base salary and vary due to location and service, and are often not specified in the collective agreement.

Allowances

There is a range of additional allowances for:

• on-call
• evening, night and weekend work
• call back
• job size
• recruitment and retention
• special contribution.

Leave

Leave entitlements include:

• 6 weeks of paid annual leave
• a minimum of 10 days of sick leave per year
• 10 days of paid continuing medical education leave (CME), plus the ability to use annual leave tacked onto the end of your CME travel
• 6 to 12 months of parental leave, depending on the length of service, including 6 weeks of fully paid parental leave
• 12 paid public holidays and time in lieu or alternative holiday if rostered on
• long service leave and sabbatical opportunities.

Additional benefits

Additional benefits include:

• an annual continuing medical education (CME) allowance of NZD $16,000 (pro-rated for part-time employees)
• membership subscriptions of medical professional bodies are reimbursed by Health NZ
• your professional indemnity insurance is covered by Health NZ
• if eligible, up to a 6% matching superannuation contribution from Health NZ as your employer
• a relocation package for international candidates.

KiwiSaver (superannuation savings scheme)

Leadership and career development opportunities

Health NZ encourages Senior Medical Officers to be involved in the design, implementation and performance of facilities and technology involved in the delivery of healthcare services to ensure an effective, efficient and safe workplace.

Specific opportunities vary by location and service; however, they can include:

• support and encouragement for research and publications
• mentorship opportunities for apprentice Junior Doctors/Registrars
• regional and national networks allowing for subspeciality research and practice.
• ongoing development and support for career growth with on-the-job coaching and a variety of in-house training programmes.

Diagnosing conditions of the face, jaws, and oral structures

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are responsible for identifying diseases, deformities, and injuries affecting the face, mouth, jaws, and associated structures. They use clinical evaluations, imaging, and diagnostic tools to provide accurate diagnoses.

Performing specialised surgical procedures

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons perform a variety of surgeries, including:

• jaw realignment (orthognathic surgery)
• removal of impacted teeth and complex extractions
• repair of facial fractures and soft tissue injuries
• reconstructive surgeries following trauma or tumour removal
• placement of dental implants and associated bone grafts
• temporomandibular joint surgeries for jaw movement disorders.

Providing emergency and trauma care

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons manage acute injuries to the face, such as jaw fractures, orbital fractures and soft tissue injuries.

Their work focuses on both functional restoration and aesthetic outcomes.

Overseeing postoperative and recovery care

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ensure proper healing by monitoring recovery, managing pain, and addressing complications. Surgeons also guide rehabilitation efforts, including dietary recommendations or prosthetic use when necessary.

Training and mentoring future surgeons

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons play an active role in educating and mentoring medical and dental students, junior doctors, and surgical trainees, ensuring the next generation of surgeons is well-trained.

Advancing surgical practices through research

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons engage in clinical research to improve surgical techniques and materials, publish findings, and contribute to advancements in the field.

Maintaining safety and adhering to professional standards

Surgeons follow the safety and ethical guidelines established by New Zealand's Medical and Dental Councils to ensure all procedures meet the highest standards of care and professionalism.

Medical and dental degrees

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons must obtain both a medical degree (MBChB or equivalent) and a dental degree (BDS or equivalent) from recognised institutions. Each degree typically involves a 5 to 6-year programme.

General medical and dental registration

Graduates must complete one year of internship (house officer year) to obtain general registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) and the Dental Council of New Zealand. International graduates may need to pass additional exams or assessments to gain registration.

Specialist training in oral and maxillofacial surgery

After general registration, surgeons must complete a structured specialist training programme in oral and maxillofacial surgery through the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS) or an equivalent body. This training typically involves:

• a minimum of 5 years of accredited surgical training
• rotations through various surgical units to gain comprehensive experience in the field.

Trainees are required to complete examinations and certifications, including:

• primary and final examinations in oral and maxillofacial surgery
• additional training in advanced surgical techniques, such as orthognathic surgery, facial trauma repair and reconstructive surgery.

Fellowship certification

Upon successful completion of all training requirements, candidates must obtain a Fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (FRACDS) or an equivalent qualification to practice independently in New Zealand.

Experience in oral and maxillofacial surgery

During training, surgeons gain hands-on clinical experience in areas such as:

• treating facial trauma, congenital deformities, and oral cancers
• performing complex surgeries like jaw reconstructions and dental implant placements
• managing multidisciplinary cases involving dental, surgical, and medical teams.

Continued professional development

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons are expected to engage in continuing professional development through RACDS or equivalent programmes to maintain their skills and registration.

English language proficiency

Proficiency in English is mandatory. International medical graduates may need to provide proof of English language proficiency through exams like IELTS or OET unless they have completed their primary qualifications in an English-speaking country.

Registration with professional bodies

In addition to MCNZ and Dental Council registration, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons must adhere to the standards and codes of conduct established by RACDS and other relevant professional bodies.

Registering to work as a Senior Medical Officer in New Zealand

To work as a Senior Medical Officer in New Zealand, you will need to obtain vocational registration with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ).

Pathways to vocational registration

Direct pathway to vocational registration

• If you are an international medical graduate (IMG) with specialist qualifications from countries with medical systems deemed equivalent to New Zealand's (such as Australia, the UK, the USA, Canada and some European countries), you may be eligible to apply directly for vocational registration without needing first to obtain general registration.
• In this pathway, MCNZ will assess your specialist qualifications, clinical experience, and the medical system where you trained. If these are deemed equivalent, you can apply directly for vocational registration in your specialty.
• This pathway allows experienced specialists to bypass general registration and the provisional general phase, which is typically required for doctors without a recognised specialist qualification.

Provisional vocational registration pathway

• If MCNZ determines that your qualifications and experience are largely equivalent but that you need some orientation or assessment within the New Zealand healthcare system, you may be granted provisional vocational registration.
• This means you will practice in your specialty under supervision for a period, typically between 6 to 12 months, before being granted full vocational registration.
• During this provisional vocational registration period, a specialist who practises in the same area of medicine as you will supervise you.

General registration pathway

• If you do not meet the criteria for direct vocational registration, you may need to obtain general registration first if your qualifications and experience are not recognised as equivalent.
• This process to gain vocational registration includes:
  • a period of provisional general registration (with supervised practice) if necessary
  • after obtaining general registration, you can later apply for vocational registration once you have completed any further assessments or additional supervised practice required by the MCNZ.

Self-assessment

The Medical Council of New Zealand have a self-assessment tool to help you easily determine which registration pathway you should take.

Registration self assessment tool — Medical Council of New Zealandexternal link

Find out more about life in New Zealand

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