Feb 28, 2024 | admin
This month is National Cancer Prevention Month, so we sat down with Board-Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon Dr. Deepak Kademani. Dr. Kademani is a widely-published surgeon who holds a Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Head and Neck Oncologic and Reconstructive Surgery. He has been practicing oral and maxillofacial surgery in Minnesota for 20 years, and today, about half of his practice is devoted to working with patients with cancer, jaw tumors and other types of head and neck pathology.
Below, Dr. Kademani shares what he finds rewarding about his work, insights about his career path, and recommendations for monitoring your oral health.
How did you become passionate about head and neck oncologic surgery?
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is a unique surgical specialty that combines the scientific and artistic aspects of medicine and dentistry. I wanted to make the greatest impact in my patients’ lives by performing life-saving surgery while also being able to reconstruct them to best functional and aesthetic outcomes possible.
The extension of my practice into head and neck oncology was a very natural one for me. I love the surgical challenge of managing complex head and neck oncology patients in my practice.
“There are often significant anatomic challenges with performing head and neck surgery, and seeing patients go through surgery and continue to live and enjoy their lives makes everything worthwhile for me.”
What makes your work rewarding?
The most rewarding aspect of my work is helping patients through some of the most difficult and challenging times in their lives. There are often significant anatomic challenges with performing head and neck surgery, and seeing patients go through surgery and continue to live and enjoy their lives afterward makes everything worthwhile for me.
How has this line of work affected you personally?
I am continually inspired and humbled by the strength and courage of my patients. While facing a life-threatening diagnosis, their courage is truly an inspiration for me to live a life of gratitude, humility, and service to our profession and patients.
What advancements in the field have you witnessed in your career, and what do you foresee in the future?
The field of head and neck surgery has evolved so much. Probably the most significant surgical advancement is the use of microvascular free tissue transfer to reconstruct patients’ defects from ablative surgery.
As Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, we are uniquely trained, and our roots in dentistry make us the only specialty capable of performing comprehensive head and neck reconstruction with microvascular free flaps and dental implants. This allows patients to have the most optimal functional and aesthetic outcomes after head and neck surgery.
“I would advise everyone to have an annual head and neck examination with your dentist. Also, if you develop new symptoms that persist you should see your dentist or primary care physician for evaluation.”
Do you have any advice for patients, or aspiring oral surgeons, based on your experience?
I would advise patients to have an annual head and neck examination with their dentist. Also, if you develop new symptoms, such as a lump in your mouth or neck, sore throat, difficulty swallowing, tooth movement or pain, changes in your bite, bleeding, or numbness, you should see your dentist or primary care physician for evaluation.
For Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: I love my work and feel privileged to be able to help people when they are faced with a life-changing diagnosis. For OMS that have the desire to gain this additional training, I would suggest that they consider a fellowship program after residency. Once they complete Board Certification, I would highly recommend they also complete the CAQ in Head and Neck Oncologic and Reconstructive Surgery as an added signature of surgical training and expertise to their practice.
About the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) is the certifying board for the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery in the United States. Become certified, learn more about the Board, or find a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon near you.