Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Children 2023

In the early 1970s, pediatric oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) was not recognized as a formal subspecialty in the United States, and only a few surgeons focused on treating children. The author was invited to Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) to help establish a pediatric OMS service, but initially faced resistance due to confusion about the role of oral surgeons in a children’s hospital. Early challenges included delayed referrals and the cancellation of his first surgery.

Within six months, the need for pediatric OMS at BCH became clear. The specialty expanded to manage infections, trauma, jaw tumors, craniofacial deformities, salivary gland disease, and temporomandibular disorders. Residency rotations were created, more surgeons were recruited, and pediatric OMS became an essential part of hospital care. The author later continued to develop the field through leadership roles at UCSF, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard, establishing divisions, fellowships, and craniofacial clinics.

Today, pediatric OMS is a recognized subspecialty with formal fellowship training approved by national organizations. Boston Children’s Hospital now has a fully established department, and recent advances in education, research, and clinical practice have expanded the scope of care. This progress led to the creation of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Children, a practical reference that emphasizes diagnosis and management in pediatric patients, highlights the importance of growth and time, and addresses modern topics such as pediatric anesthesia, craniofacial conditions, TMJ disorders, trauma, and advanced imaging and surgical planning.