OU College of Dentistry Faculty Helps Lead National Effort in Craniofacial Surgery Awareness
Published: Wednesday, July 16, 2025
CHICAGO, Illinois – The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (ABOMS) proudlyrecognizes National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month this July. This national observance is dedicated to raising awareness of cleft and craniofacial differences while promoting prevention, early diagnosis, and access to quality care.
The University of Oklahoma’s Reichmann-Staples Professor and Chairman of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the College of Dentistry and Professor of Surgery in the College of Medicine, Paul Tiwana, DDS, MD, FACS leads an esteemed group of surgeons in shaping a program focusing on this specialized area of patient care at ABOMS.
In addition to administering a rigorous Board Certification process, ABOMS – headquartered in Chicago - also offers a Certificate of Added Qualification (CAQ) in Pediatric Craniomaxillofacial Surgery (Cleft and Craniofacial). This certification validates additional education, training, and elevated standards for surgeons who transform lives through their work.
Cleft and craniofacial differences affect thousands of children and adults in the United States each year. These conditions can present significant challenges, including difficulties with feeding, speech, and hearing, as well as emotional and social impacts. Treatment typically involves a long-term collaboration between not just an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and the patient, but also other medical specialists.
“Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are an essential part to the comprehensive care of patients with craniofacial differences – from infancy through adulthood,” said Dr. Tiwana. “Having a Certificate of Added Qualification in Pediatric Craniomaxillofacial Surgery is a meaningful way to recognize the additional training, experience, and dedication required to provide the highest level of patient care.”
Today’s patients are more informed than ever. They often research their providers and look for credentials that speak to expertise in their condition. The ABOMS CAQ program validates training and communicates a clear message: this surgeon has gone above and beyond to master a specific area of care.
About ABOMS
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. As the certifying board in oral and maxillofacial surgery, the ABOMS provides contemporary and innovative programs that promote optimal care and service to the public.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university with campuses in Norman, Oklahoma City and Tulsa. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. In Oklahoma City, OU Health Sciences is one of the nation’s few academic health centers with seven health profession colleges located on the same campus. OU Health Sciences serves approximately 4,000 students in more than 70 undergraduate and graduate degree programs spanning Oklahoma City and Tulsa and is the leading research institution in Oklahoma. For more information about OU Health Sciences, visit www.ouhsc.edu.