CRANIOMAXILLOFACIAL DEFORMITIES/COSMETIC SURGERY Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Education and Exposure in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Training Programs in the United States Lee M. Whitesides, DMD, MMSc, * Nawaf Aslam-Pervez, MD, DDS,y and Gary Warburton, DDS, MDz Purpose: The purpose of this study was to estimate the penetration of cone-beam computed tomogra- phy (CBCT) in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) residency programs in the United States. In addition, this study was designed to assess the education and training, relevance, and image interpretation respon- sibility of CBCT as experienced by OMS residents. Materials and Methods: The authors performed a cross-sectional study of all 102 US-based OMS pro- gram directors (PDs) from January 1, 2014 through April 30, 2014. Study variables included questions about 4 key factors in CBCT in OMS programs: access, education and training, relevance, and image interpretation responsibility. Data analysis was a product of the percentage of positive responses to each question. Results: Fifty-four PDs participated in the study. The results showed that 87% of responding OMS programs have access to CBCT and that CBCT is used primarily for dental implant-related procedures. Conclusion: OMS residents are actively involved in CBCT use in their residency. OMS residents’ access to CBCT is increasing, and their education, training, and image interpretation responsibility is increasing. Ó 2015 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons J Oral Maxillofac Surg 73:522-528, 2015 Since its commercial introduction into dentistry in 2001, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has become an important tool for the oral and maxillofa- cial (OM) surgeon. CBCT provides the OM surgeon with 3-dimensional anatomic accuracy far beyond the capability of 2-dimensional radiography. This increased knowledge of patient anatomy can enhance the surgeon’s appreciation of the patient and improve patient outcome by minimizing risk. 1-7 CBCT has many applications in OM surgery (OMS). Such applications include, but are not limited to, dental implant treatment planning and placement, evaluation and surgical approach for difficult impacted teeth, localization of important anatomic structures in the surgical field, orthognathic treatment planning, diagnosis, interpositional device (splint) fabrication, evaluation of the pathology of maxillofacial structures, and evaluation and treatment planning for patients with cleft lip and palate, patients with temporoman- dibular joint problems, and patients with maxillofacial trauma or sleep apnea. 2-5,8-24 The learning experience for an OM surgeon begins in earnest during the OM surgeon’s residency. In residency, the nascent surgeon can learn carefully with proper supervision by faculty and more senior residents. Residencies also function to expose physicians to new and evolving technology and techniques to take with them into their post-residency professional career. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ac- cess, education and training, relevance, and image *Private Practice, Northside Oral Surgery, Dunwoody, GA. yPGY 2, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Maryland Dental School, Baltimore, MD. zAssociate Professor, Program Director and Chief, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Maryland Dental School, Baltimore, MD. Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr Whitesides: Northside Oral Surgery, 4700 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Suite 400, Dunwoody, GA 30338; e-mail: drmac5678@gmail.com Received June 16 2014 Accepted October 4 2014 Ó 2015 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 0278-2391/14/01599-7 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.joms.2014.10.007 522