Surgical Training Courses and Online Learning

Quality education relies on the application of teaching methods appropriate to desired outcomes

It is never too soon or too late to learn

In order to build education that directly impacts patient health, the curriculum development process starts by first identifying the patient problems to address and the competencies required of the surgeon.

AO CMF's competency-based education events include Management of Facial Trauma (MFT) courses and Lighthouse courses.

Additionally, various advances and masters courses and seminars and a variety of online educational resources ranging from free webinars and online case discussions to live lectures with top faculty around the world are available to our community.

Management of facial trauma courses

The first global educational program delivered through small case discussions, practical exercises and mini lectures

Download the Management of Facial Trauma Course Brochure

Designed for your success

This comprehensive course is designed to provide the fundamental knowledge and principles for the treatment of craniomaxillofacial fractures and their complications. The course is organized in three steps:

  • Online preparation (self-assessment and self-study program)
  • Face-to-face event
  • Online follow-up

The face-to-face course consists of a combination of lectures, small group discussions, practical exercises and keynote lectures. 

Learn more about our Management of Facial Trauma courses.

AO CMF Lighthouse Courses

Advanced level courses with human anatomical specimens

Photo: AO CMF Lighthouse Course—Reconstructive Surgery in Head and Neck with Flap Harvesting and Patient Specific Implants

These competency-based educational events bring together expert faculty for intensive two- and three-days learning opportunities in carefully selected locations. The Lighthouse courses currently are available in Europe and the Middle East. 

The primary focus of the course will be developing surgical skills by completing practical exercises on human anatomical specimens. The topics are also addressed in lectures and during interactive debates and discussions with faculty and participants.

Topics covered: 

  • Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Surgery
  • Surgical Approaches and Techniques in Facial Surgery
  • Reconstructive Surgery in Head and Neck with Flap Harvesting
  • Orthognathic Surgery
  • Aesthetic and Functional Surgery of the Face and Neck
  • Advanced Management of Facial Trauma

Advanced and Masters Courses

AO CMF offers a variety of courses, seminars, and lectures around the world

Photo: Practical exercises during the AO Davos Courses 2019
  • Orthognathic surgery

  • TMJ surgery 

  • Craniomaxillofacial trauma and reconstruction

  • Head and neck surgery and reconstruction

  • Orbital fractures and reconstruction

  • Nasoethmoidal and midface fractures

  • Condyle fractures

  • Digital planning, 3D planning, and computer-assisted surgery

  • Cleft lip and facial deformities surgery 

  • Craniomaxillofacial surgery with patient-specific implants

  • Soft tissue management

  • Pediatric trauma and deformities

  • Congenital deformities

  • Distraction osteogenesis

Online learning

AO CMF offers you education wherever you are, whenever you need it!

Our digital learning opportunities include everything from moderated live expert case discussions, study clubs, and webinars, to self-directed training programs, such as the Global Oral Cancer Diploma.

For young residents interested in learning more on interpreting CT facial bone scans, CTRead is a free web-based interactive training program comprised by nine modules and a certification exam.

AO CMF members have unlimited access to a multitude of scientific journals and publications, as well as full access to all craniomaxillofacial modules on the AO Surgery Reference.

You might be interested in

AO CMF Fellowships

An unique opportunity to advance your training by learning from some of the best surgeons in the world at top clinics around the globe

AO CMF Faculty

Develop your skills and serve as a teacher and educational expert at AO CMF events through our faculty development programs

Clinical Library & Tools

Extra support in your education: scientific publications, teaching videos, mobile applications and much more

AO CMF programs and formats FAQ

  • How many courses does AO CMF offer every year?

    AO CMF organizes well over 100 educational events every year. In 2022 we have carried out 112 educational events involving around 10'000 participants throughout 38 countries.

  • What courses does AO CMF have?

    Our most well-known course is the AO CMF Management of Facial Trauma, designed for residents and fellows, as well as recently graduated surgeons involved in the treatment of facial trauma, which takes place in multiple languages in many countries around the world; it is offered over 20 times every year. Additionally AO CMF offers courses dozens of new and different courses covering orthognathic surgery, TMJ surgery, deformities, various fracture and reconstruction techniques, as well as the new distraction osteogenesis course. You can find all the different upcoming courses here.

  • Become member

    You do not need to be an AO CMF member to join a course, although members get a discount on the registration fee (usually 5% to 10% discount, which frequently offsets the cost of the membership). You do need to create a free account in our website to register at a course, so we can register your name and contact information, as well as to be able to keep the record of your course completion, and issue your course certificate.

  • Are AO CMF courses accredited, or certified?

    Most AO CMF courses are locally or nationally accredited. The accreditation status and the number of Continuous Medical Education (CME) points that each course grants is documented in the course's webpage and course program.

  • What surgical education training formats does AO CMF have?

    AO CMF offers human anatomical specimen courses, dry-lab or dry-bone courses, seminars (without hands-on components), webinars (fully online), as well as hybrid courses (face-to-face courses which require completion of a prior online component).

    AO CMF also offers special format events, such as Study Clubs, as well as the new AO CMF Global Cancer Diploma, an interactive, self-directed online program designed in conjunction with the International Academy for Oral Oncology (IAOO)

    Finally, AO CMF offers a fellowship program for fully trained CMF surgeons. It helps to familiarize fellows with indications, planning, techniques, and pitfalls of osteosynthesis, under guidance of AO experts. This applies not only to fractures, but also to the variety of CMF surgical procedures performed around the world by AO CMF surgeons.