Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in Ireland
Oral and maxillofacial surgery treats the mouth, jaws, face and salivary glands. It covers wisdom tooth removal, corrective jaw surgery, salivary gland surgery, cleft lip and palate repair, and repair of facial fractures.
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery procedures we cover
Every guide includes public waiting times, private costs in Ireland, and the EU Cross-Border option reimbursed by the HSE.
Cleft Lip & Palate Repair
Cleft lip and palate repair closes a gap in the lip or roof of the mouth present from birth. Surgery is usually…
Facial Fracture Surgery
Facial fracture surgery repairs broken bones of the face, including the jaw, cheekbone and eye socket, to restore your bite, appearance and…
Jaw Surgery (Orthognathic)
Orthognathic (corrective jaw) surgery repositions the upper jaw, lower jaw or both to correct problems with bite, chewing, speech and breathing. It's…
Salivary Gland Surgery
Salivary gland surgery removes all or part of a salivary gland, usually because of a lump, stones or recurrent infection. The most…
Wisdom Tooth Removal
Wisdom tooth removal is surgery to take out wisdom teeth that are impacted, causing pain, infection or damage to nearby teeth. It's…
Have your surgery in weeks, not years
Under the EU Cross-Border Healthcare Directive, you can be treated in an accredited EU/EEA hospital and claim the cost back from the HSE — with a GP or consultant referral.
Check whether you qualify and what you'd get back.
*Reimbursement is capped at the cost of the same treatment in the Irish public health system. Travel, accommodation and any balance above the HSE rate are not covered. Pre-authorisation applies to treatment involving an overnight hospital stay.
A specialty bridging dentistry and medicine
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained in both dentistry and medicine. In Ireland, public services are based in a small number of hospital units, while many routine procedures such as wisdom tooth removal are also carried out privately by oral surgeons.
Facial injuries are treated urgently, and cleft lip and palate care is delivered through a national specialist service. Planned procedures, such as jaw surgery or wisdom tooth removal under general anaesthetic, may involve a wait.
Your options
You can be treated publicly with a referral from your dentist or GP, privately in Ireland, or in another EU country under the Cross-Border Healthcare Directive, claiming back up to the Irish public cost for treatment the HSE would provide. Routine dental treatment isn’t usually covered by the directive, as it isn’t generally provided free in the Irish public system to adults.
Corrective jaw surgery is usually planned together with an orthodontist over months to years, so treatment abroad is rarely practical.
Questions about oral & maxillofacial surgery
What does an oral and maxillofacial surgeon do?
They treat conditions of the mouth, jaws, face and neck, from wisdom teeth to facial fractures, jaw deformities and salivary gland problems.
Is wisdom tooth removal covered by the HSE?
Complex extractions may be done in public hospital units on referral, but many are done privately. Coverage depends on your eligibility and the complexity of the extraction.
Can I have oral surgery abroad?
Hospital-based oral and maxillofacial surgery that the HSE would provide can be eligible under the Cross-Border Directive. Routine dental treatment usually isn't.
Do I need a referral?
Yes, from your dentist or GP for public treatment, and for cross-border reimbursement.
Are facial injuries an emergency?
Facial fractures, especially with difficulty breathing, bleeding, vision changes or a misaligned bite, need urgent assessment.