Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) CESR Portfolio Guide
Complete guide to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) Portfolio Pathway: 5 Capabilities in Practice (CiPs), 9 evidence sections, and a 6-year currency window. Based on official GMC Specialty Specific Guidance, published by JCST.
SSG Version: 22/05/2025
Capabilities in Practice (CiPs)
The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) SSG defines 5 Capabilities in Practice (CiPs) that Portfolio Pathway applicants must demonstrate competence in.
Manages an out-patient clinic
Able to perform all the administrative and clinical tasks required of a consultant surgeon in order that all patients presenting as outpatients in the specialty are care for safely and appropriately
- Assesses and prioritises GP and inter-departmental referrals and deals correctly with inappropriate referrals
- Assesses new and review patients using a structured history and a focused clinical examination to perform a full clinical assessment, and determines the appropriate plan of action, explains it to the patient and carries out the plan
- Carries out syllabus defined practical investigations or procedures within the out-patient setting
- Adapts approach to accommodate all channels of communication (e.g. interpreter, sign language), communicates using language understandable to the patient, and demonstrates communication skills with particular regard to breaking bad news. Appropriately involves relatives and friends
- Takes co-morbidities into account
- Requests appropriate investigations, does not investigate when not necessary, and interprets results of investigations in context
- Selects patients with urgent conditions who should be admitted from clinic
- Manages potentially difficult or challenging interpersonal situations, including breaking bad news and complaints
- Completes all required documentation
- Makes good use of time
- Uses consultation to emphasise health promotion
Manages the unselected emergency take
All patients with an emergency condition requiring management within the specialty. Able to perform all the administrative and clinical tasks required of a consultant surgeon in order that all patients presenting as emergencies in the specialty are cared for safely and appropriately
- Promptly assesses acutely unwell and deteriorating patients, delivers resuscitative treatment and initial management, and ensures sepsis is recognised and treated in compliance with protocol
- Makes a full assessment of patients by taking a structured history and by performing a focused clinical examination, and requests, interprets and discusses appropriate investigations to synthesise findings into an appropriate overall impression, management plan and diagnosis
- Identifies, accounts for and manages co-morbidity in the context of the surgical presentation, referring for specialist advice when necessary
- Selects patients for conservative and operative treatment plans as appropriate, explaining these to the patient, and carrying them out
- Demonstrates effective communication with colleagues, patients and relatives
- Makes appropriate peri- and post-operative management plans in conjunction with anaesthetic colleagues
- Delivers ongoing post-operative surgical care in ward and critical care settings, recognising and appropriately managing medical and surgical complications, and referring for specialist care when necessary
- Makes appropriate discharge and follow up arrangements
- Carries out all operative procedures as described in the syllabus
- Manages potentially difficult or challenging interpersonal situations
- Gives and receives appropriate handover
Manages ward rounds and in-patients
Manages all hospital in-patients with conditions requiring management within the specialty. Able to perform all the administrative and clinical tasks required of a consultant surgeon in order that all inpatients requiring care within the specialty are cared for safely and appropriately
- Identifies at the start of a ward round if there are acutely unwell patients who require immediate attention
- Ensures that all necessary members of the multi-disciplinary team are present, knows what is expected of them and what each other’s roles and contributions will be, and contributes effectively to cross specialty working
- Ensures that all documentation (including results of investigations) will be available when required and interprets them appropriately
- Makes a full assessment of patients by taking a structured history and by performing a focused clinical examination, and requests, interprets and discusses appropriate investigations to synthesise findings into an appropriate overall impression, management plan and diagnosis
- Identifies when the clinical course is progressing as expected and when medical or surgical complications are developing, and recognises when operative intervention or re-intervention is required and ensures this is carried out
- Identifies and initially manages co-morbidity and medical complications, referring on to other specialties as appropriate
- Contributes effectively to level 2 and level 3 care
- Makes good use of time, ensuring all necessary assessments are made and discussions held, while continuing to make progress with the overall workload of the ward round
- Identifies when further therapeutic manoeuvres are not in the patient’s best interests, initiates palliative care, refers for specialist advice as required, and discusses plans with the patient and their family
- Summarises important points at the end of the ward rounds and ensures all members of the multi-disciplinary team understand the management plans and their roles within them
- Gives appropriate advice for discharge documentation and follow-up
Manages the Operating list
All patients with conditions requiring operative treatment within the specialty. Able to perform all the administrative and clinical tasks required of a consultant surgeon in order that all patients requiring operative treatment receive it safely and appropriately
- Selects patients appropriately for surgery, taking the surgical condition, co-morbidities, medication and investigations into account, and adds the patient to the waiting list with appropriate priority
- Negotiates reasonable treatment options and shares decision-making with patients
- Takes informed consent in line with national legislation or applies national legislation for patients who are not competent to give consent
- Arranges anaesthetic assessment as required
- Undertakes the appropriate process to list the patient for surgery
- Prepares the operating list, accounting for case mix, skill mix, operating time, clinical priorities, and patient co-morbidity
- Leads the brief and debrief and ensures all relevant points are covered for all patients on the operating list
- Ensures the WHO checklist (or equivalent) is completed for each patient at both the beginning and end of each procedure
- Understands when prophylactic antibiotics should be prescribed and follows local protocol
- Synthesises the patient’s surgical condition, the technical details of the operation, comorbidities and medication into an appropriate operative plan for the patient
- Carries out the operative procedures to the required level for the phase of training as described in the specialty syllabus
- Uses good judgement to adapt operative strategy to take account of pathological findings and any changes in clinical condition
- Undertakes the operation in a technically safe manner, using time efficiently
- Demonstrates good application of knowledge and non-technical skills in the operating theatre, including situation awareness, decision-making, communication, leadership, and teamwork
- Writes a full operation note for each patient, ensuring inclusion of all post-operative instructions
- Reviews all patients post-operatively
- Manages complications safely, requesting help from colleagues where required
Manages multi-disciplinary working
Manages all patients with conditions requiring interdisciplinary management including care within the specialty. Able to perform all the administrative and clinical tasks of a consultant surgeon in order that safe and appropriate multi-disciplinary decisions are made on all patients with conditions requiring care within the specialty.
- Appropriately selects patients who require discussion at the multi-disciplinary team
- Follows the appropriate administrative process
- Deals correctly with inappropriate referrals for discussion (e.g. postpones discussion if information is incomplete or out-of-date)
- Presents relevant case history, recognising important clinical features, co-morbidities and investigations
- Identifies patients with unusual, serious or urgent conditions
- Engages constructively with all members of the multi-disciplinary team in reaching an agreed management decision, taking co-morbidities into account, recognising when uncertainty exists, and being able to manage this
- Effectively manages potentially challenging situations such as conflicting opinions
- Develops a clear management plan and communicates discussion outcomes and subsequent plans by appropriate means to the patient, GP and administrative staff as appropriate
- Manages time to ensure the case list is discussed in the time available
- Arranges follow up investigations when appropriate and knows indications for follow up
Evidence Requirements
The SSG specifies 9 evidence sections. Each section describes what evidence to provide and how to present it.
Evidence of training, qualifications, and employment
Substantial primary evidence for any previous training towards a medical qualification should only be submitted if the training is directly relevant to your capabilities and dates from the past six years.
What to provide
- Up to date copy of your CV
- Employment letters (if proof of eligibility/training posts)
- On call rotas (rota patterns for each post held over the last 6 years WTE)
- Primary medical qualification (PMQ) if not holding full registration
How to present
Grouped and uploaded electronically under the correct section of the online application.
Knowledge
You must demonstrate knowledge appropriate for specialist practice in the UK.
What to provide
- FRCS (OMFS) certificate together with confirmation of this from the JCIE
- Or a portfolio of knowledge, which shows equivalent knowledge to the curriculum (detailed cross-referencing mapping exercise)
How to present
Provide certification of success together with details of what the examination covers and to what level.
Skills and experience
Clinical experience – evidence of the breadth of clinical experience required to meet the CiP outcomes as defined in the specialty syllabus.
What to provide
- Evidence of management of patients with craniofacial, facial and reconstructive requirements
- Evidence of experience in private health care facilities where JCST standards have been met
- Evidence of assessment and management of patients with facial/head & neck aesthetic concerns
- Logbooks in eLogbook format for the assessment period
- Consolidation reports (operative group report and SAC indicative procedures report)
- Workplace Based Assessments (WBAs) including PBAs and CBDs/CEXs
How to present
Full logbooks uploaded per institution and named (e.g. Stepping Hill – Jan 2016-Jan 2018). Consolidation reports uploaded separately. WBAs grouped by institution and index procedure.
CPD/Conferences
Evidence of up to date competencies and engagement in CPD.
What to provide
- Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) or equivalent
- Evidence of engagement in CPD
- Evidence of having attended national or international conferences and meetings
How to present
Grouped and uploaded electronically.
Research
Applicants must provide evidence of having met the relevant requirements for research and scholarship as set out under GPC 9.
What to provide
- A higher degree by research at level 7 or level 8
- Publications
- Poster or podium presentations at national or international meetings
- Evidence of journal club activity
- GCP course in Research Governance
- Recruitment into a research ethics committee approved study
How to present
At least one piece of evidence submitted for each of the four areas. State which piece of evidence is for which area.
Medical education and training
Evidence of an understanding of, and participation in, medical education.
What to provide
- ‘Training the Trainers’ course or equivalent
- Lecture slides to show involvement in training
- Timetables showing involvement in training
- Written structured feedback from those taught
- Evidence of assessing others (e.g. WBAs)
- Appraisal confirming role in teaching and training
How to present
Group and upload evidence by teaching activity with a clear description (e.g. Stepping Hill – Foundation doctor training – Presentation, feedback and timetable – 2018).
Quality Improvement
Evidence of an understanding of, and participation in, audit or quality/service improvement.
What to provide
- Evidence of completing or supervising 3 audit or quality/service improvement projects in the last six years (WTE)
- Slides of an audit presentation
- Audit reports
- Presentations of audit work
How to present
Group and upload evidence by audit activity with a clear description. Provide audits in reverse chronological order.
Management and Leadership
Evidence of leadership and having taken part in a management related activity.
What to provide
- A course on UK health service management
- Leadership courses / modules / training / coaching
- Reflection on the above
- Evidence of having taken part in management and leadership activities (e.g. rota organisation, clinical lead, audit lead, committee chair)
How to present
Group and upload evidence by activity with a clear description (e.g. UK NHS Management course and course programme with reflections July 2023).
Additional evidence
Suggested evidence to demonstrate outcomes across multiple areas.
What to provide
- Appraisal (two x cycles of recent appraisal)
- Multidisciplinary working evidence (referral letters, MSF/360, MDT meeting minutes)
- Communication with colleagues (MDT participation, referral letters, handovers)
- Communication with patients (letters, patient feedback)
- Partnerships with patients and obtaining consent (courses, feedback, robust structured reports)
- Dealing with complaints (primary evidence of a complaint dealt with, reflection, or letter confirming no complaints)
- Working within appropriate health and safety legislation (mandatory Trust courses, M&M meetings)
- Evidence of working within equality and diversity legislation (EDI courses/modules)
How to present
Provide an explanatory statement/cover note in each section if cross-referencing evidence.
Critical Conditions
The SSG requires evidence of managing 5 critical conditions at specified competence levels.
| Condition | Assessment Type | Min Level |
|---|---|---|
| Life-threatening airway compromise | CBD or CEX | 4 |
| Sepsis of the head and neck | CBD or CEX | 4 |
| Sight-threatening trauma | CBD or CEX | 4 |
| Haemorrhage arising from the face, mouth, jaws and neck | CBD or CEX | 4 |
| Malignancy of the head and neck | CBD or CEX | 4 |
Index Procedures
18 index procedures require procedural-based assessments (PBAs) with specified minimum assessors and competence levels.
| Procedure | Category | Min PBAs | Min Assessors | Min Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surgical removal of impacted and buried teeth | 1 | — | 4 | |
| Drainage of tissue space infection | 1 | — | 4 | |
| Surgical access to airway (tracheostomy/cricothyroidotomy) | 1 | — | 4 | |
| Repair of facial lacerations | 1 | — | 4 | |
| Reduction and fixation of fractures of the mandible (including open reduction of condyle) | 1 | — | 4 | |
| Reduction and fixation of fractures of the midface including nose | 1 | — | 4 | |
| Repair and grafting of fractures of the orbital floor | 1 | — | 4 | |
| Excision & reconstruction of facial skin defects | 1 | — | 4 | |
| TMJ arthrocentesis | 1 | — | 4 | |
| Bone graft | 1 | — | 4 | |
| Ramus osteotomy of the mandible | 1 | — | 4 | |
| Le Fort 1 maxillary osteotomy | 1 | — | 4 | |
| Removal of a parotid lump | 1 | — | 4 | |
| Removal of neck lump including submandibular gland | 1 | — | 4 | |
| Neck dissection | 1 | — | 4 | |
| Raising and insetting of free flap | 1 | — | 4 | |
| Oral resection (Level 3) | 1 | — | 3 | |
| Microvascular anastomosis (Level 3) | 1 | — | 3 |
Knowledge Requirements
Primary Path
FRCS (OMFS) certificate together with confirmation of this from the JCIE.
Alternative Path
A portfolio of knowledge, which shows equivalent knowledge to the curriculum, including a detailed, thorough and succinct cross-referencing mapping exercise.
The European Board of Oro-Maxillo-Facial Surgery Exam is unlikely even in combination with other elements of a portfolio to show knowledge as described.
Referee Requirements
Referee Reports Required
Last two years of practice (WTE, does not need to be consecutive)
- Consultants who have observed your practice over the last two years of practice
- At least two referees should have current significant involvement in training and knowledge of assessment processes
- One report should be from the head of your specialty department in which you are currently working
Volume and Assessment Targets
The SSG specifies minimum volume and assessment targets for this specialty.
Audit or quality/service improvement projects
Completed or supervised projects
General MSF (including from MDT and Patients)
MSF or equivalent
Appraisal cycles
Recent appraisals
Oral surgery: Wisdom teeth
Procedure count (Performed)
Oral surgery: Other extractions
Procedure count (Performed)
Oral surgery: Cyst enucleation
Procedure count (Performed)
Oral surgery: Exposure of teeth
Procedure count (Performed)
Oral surgery: Apicectomies
Procedure count (Performed)
Oral surgery: Extra oral I and D abscess
Procedure count (Performed)
Salivary gland: Submandibular
Procedure count (Performed)
Salivary gland: ECD paratoid tumour
Procedure count (Performed)
Salivary gland: Partial parotidectomy
Procedure count (Performed)
Trauma: # mandible
Procedure count (Performed)
Trauma: # maxilla (I-III)
Procedure count (Performed)
Trauma: # NOE, frontal
Procedure count (Performed)
Trauma: # zygoma
Procedure count (Performed)
Trauma: # nose
Procedure count (Performed)
Trauma: Open condyle
Procedure count (Performed)
Trauma: Orbital floor/wall
Procedure count (Performed)
Trauma: Coronal flaps
Procedure count (Performed)
Trauma: Facial lacerations
Procedure count (Performed)
Cutaneous: Biopsy or excision
Procedure count (Performed)
Cutaneous: Primary closure
Procedure count (Performed)
Cutaneous: Skin graft (FT, SSG)
Procedure count (Performed)
Cutaneous: Local flap closure
Procedure count (Performed)
Airway: Tracheostomy
Procedure count (Performed)
Orthognathic: Manidbular ramus >75% one side incl repositioning and fixation
Procedure count (Performed)
Orthognathic: Maxilla > 75% one side incl repositioning and fixation
Procedure count (Performed)
Orthognathic: Segmental osteotomy jaw
Procedure count (Performed)
Orthognathic: Genioplasty
Procedure count (Performed)
Oncology: Oro-facial resection
Procedure count (Performed)
Oncology: Mandibulectomy
Procedure count (Performed)
Oncology: Maxillectomy
Procedure count (Performed)
Oncology: Neck dissection
Procedure count (Performed)
Reconstruction: Non vascularised bone or cartilage
Procedure count (Performed)
Reconstruction: Local skin/muscle flap
Procedure count (Performed)
Reconstruction: Micro (artery)
Procedure count (Performed)
Reconstruction: Micro (vein)
Procedure count (Performed)
Reconstruction: Raise free flap
Procedure count (Performed)
Reconstruction: Raise pedicle flap
Procedure count (Performed)
TMJ: Arthrocentesis
Procedure count (Performed)
Salivary gland: Endoscopic mmt salivary gland
Procedure count (Observed/assisted/performed)
Cleft: Lip surgery
Procedure count (Observed/assisted/performed)
Cleft: Palate pharynx surgery
Procedure count (Observed/assisted/performed)
Aesthetic: Alveolar bone graft
Procedure count (Observed/assisted/performed)
Aesthetic: Blepharoplasty
Procedure count (Observed/assisted/performed)
Aesthetic: Otoplasty
Procedure count (Observed/assisted/performed)
Aesthetic: Rhinoplasty
Procedure count (Observed/assisted/performed)
Aesthetic: Facelift
Procedure count (Observed/assisted/performed)
Aesthetic: Neurotoxin
Procedure count (Observed/assisted/performed)
Aesthetic: Filler/fat transfer
Procedure count (Observed/assisted/performed)
Craniofacial: Fronto-orbital advancement Le Fort II/III/Monobloc Posterior distraction
Procedure count (Observed/assisted/performed)
Craniofacial: Cranioplasty
Procedure count (Observed/assisted/performed)
TM Joint: Replacement
Procedure count (Observed/assisted/performed)
TM Joint: Arthroscopy
Procedure count (Observed/assisted/performed)
TM Joint: Open procedure
Procedure count (Observed/assisted/performed)
Orthognathic: Zygoma/orbital
Procedure count (Observed/assisted/performed)
Orthognathic: Distraction
Procedure count (Observed/assisted/performed)
Implants/Preprosthetic: Preprosthetic surgery
Procedure count (Observed/assisted/performed)
Implants/Preprosthetic: Osseo-integrated implant placement
Procedure count (Observed/assisted/performed)
Implants/Preprosthetic: 2nd stage or revision surgery
Procedure count (Observed/assisted/performed)
Currency Window & Evidence Volume
Currency Window
Years
Evidence drawn from the last six years of clinical practice prior to submission (WTE, does not need to be consecutive). If you have had a break in practise in the last six calendar years 50% of your evidence of competency in the critical conditions (CBDs) and emergency index procedures (PBAs) should be drawn from the last two years clinical practise. If working less than full time, evidence should be weighted to more recent years.
Evidence Volume
800-1000 pages
Additional Notes
IMPORTANT – Unbundling of cases, i.e. splitting up standard operations into two or more parts, in order to count operations as multiple cases on one patient is not permitted. As a principle, one patient = one operation.
WBAs which appear to be completed retrospectively will hold no weight. WBAs should ideally be signed off by the Assessor on the day the assessment took place.
Block entries of ‘satisfactory’ in WBAs are not acceptable.
Where we ask in our guidance, please group your evidence together to keep the number of individual electronic uploads manageable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) CESR portfolio?
How many framework units does Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) require?
What evidence is required for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) specialist registration?
How long is the currency window for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS)?
What index procedures are required for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS)?
Start Your Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) Portfolio
Map your evidence to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) framework, track readiness, and export your GMC submission.
