Several international associations are involved in representing Oral & Maxillofacial surgeons, and their work both complements and supports that of BAOMS. In addition to this, all surgeons have undergone extensive core and basic surgical training identical to that for other surgical specialties, followed by a period of higher specialist training lasting 5 years or more. Many OMF surgeons also undertake fellowships in their particular areas of subspecialist practice. This thorough and extensive training ensures that Oral & Maxillofacial surgeons are expert in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the head, face and neck.