In the UK, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is a dually qualified specialist — holding degrees in both medicine and dentistry — with dedicated surgical expertise in the craniofacial region. The specialty frequently works alongside dentists and orthodontists, but is a distinct discipline. A dentist (or dental surgeon) is primarily concerned with teeth, gums, prevention and restorative dental treatments. In practice: if the problem involves the TMJ, jaw, facial trauma or any condition requiring a surgical assessment of the craniofacial region, a maxillofacial opinion may be indicated. In many cases, management is integrated and multidisciplinary.