Top 4 Topics:

- Inside the Oral Surgery Board Exam: HOW TO CRUSH THIS EXAM

- The Hidden Value of Board Certification: Why It Protects Patients and the Future of Surgery

- Life as an Oral Surgeon: Balancing Trauma Cases, Family, and 2AM Emergencies

- Mentorship, Medicine, and Motivation: The Stories That Shape Surgeons

Dr. Jenzer and Dr. Figueroa let me share their emails, here, so you can contact them directly with additional questions and to sign up for their OMFS Oral Board Exam Review Course - see you there on October 9th!

[email protected]

[email protected]

Link to sign up for the course: https://stlomfsreview.com/

Quotes & Wisdom:

On preparation & mindset

“This test is about half knowledge, but it’s half preparation — being able to verbalize quickly, concisely, and move through a case. That’s a skill we don’t practice enough.” — Andrew Jenzer (17:54)

On repetition & efficiency

“If you come out of a residency, you already know this stuff. The key is organizing it and verbalizing it quickly and efficiently, because there’s a time component. If everyone had unlimited time, 99% would pass.” — Aaron (18:57)

On facing the challenge

“When I was nervous before the exam, I reminded myself: this is all stuff I’ve seen, I currently do, or have done. They just want to know I can do it safely. That mindset helped me calm down and let the answers flow.” — Aaron (36:18)

On the value of board certification

“The process makes you a better surgeon and provider. You start to connect things laterally, and it makes you incredibly safe for your patients. That’s why it’s worth it.” — Andrew Jenzer (41:20)

On overcoming fear of failure

“What’s the worst that happens? You fail, you retake it. You’re still an oral surgeon. Don’t let fear stop you from going for it.” — Aaron (42:53)

On teaching & mentorship

“Follow your heart. If you’re passionate about teaching, you can change the trajectory for residents and future surgeons. The world always needs more people willing to mentor.” — Andrew Jenzer (09:49)

On patient safety & exam priorities

“The exam isn’t about knowing every obscure disease. It’s about proving you can safely manage the common conditions — asthma, diabetes — the things you’ll see every day.” — Andrew Jenzer (31:59)

On commitment to the specialty

“There are people before us who fought for us to be in hospitals, to do cancer and cosmetic surgery. Whether or not you do that, board certification preserves the scope of our specialty.” — Aaron (42:53)

Questions:

(03:45) “How did you guys think up the Oral Boards Review Course?”

(04:50) “Was the fellowship one year or two? And what was it like for you personally?”

(09:09) “Where are you guys practicing right now?”

(15:43) “When should someone start preparing for the oral boards — is now too early or too late?”

(23:37) “How should we structure group study sessions to best simulate the real exam?”

(29:12) “Besides starting too late, what are the biggest mistakes people make preparing for this exam?”

Now available on:

- Dr. Gallagher’s Podcast & YouTube Channel

- Dose of Dental Podcast #168

My watch in this episode = Citizen Promaster Diver Day Date

- 8.2025

#podcast #dentalpodcast #doctorgallagherpodcast #doctorgallagherspodcast #doctor #dentist #dentistry #oralsurgery #dental #dentalschool #dentalstudent #doctorlife #dentistlife #oralsurgeon #doctorgallagher