Maxillofacial Surgery

Maxillofacial is the surgical speciality concerned with investigating and treating conditions affecting the face, mouth, jaw, and neck.

Our treatments range from complex surgical procedures for patients with oral cancers, facial skin cancers, facial deformities and salivary gland disease, to the management of impacted and buried teeth and roots.

The Maxillofacial Team is a consultant-led team based in York. Visiting consultants carry out services at Harrogate District Hospital throughout the week.

We offer a wide range of services to investigate and treat diseases of the face, mouth, jaw, and neck. These include:

  • Dental alveolar surgery
  • Management of maxillofacial trauma
  • Facial skin cancer surgery
  • Orthognathic (dentofacial deformity) surgery
  • Salivary gland surgery
  • Intraoral cancer diagnosis

We are unable to offer routine dental surgery.

The Maxillofacial Department

Your first visit to the Maxillofacial Department will be for a consultation. We may need you to have an x-ray to help decide on a treatment plan.

Once you’ve been examined and surgery has been agreed as an appropriate method of treatment, a decision will be made regarding local or general anaesthetic. If the surgery will be carried out under local anaesthetic, the procedure can be done in the Department. If you require general anaesthetic, the surgery will take place either in the Day Surgery Unit at Harrogate District Hospital, or at York Hospital if you require an overnight stay.

Restorative treatment

This is a new service to Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust. Our Restorative Consultant, Mr Matt Gahan, sees patients referred due to a congenital or trauma-acquired defect which requires specialist skills and treatment to restore function and aesthetics. If accepted for treatment, the procedure will be carried out at York Hospital.

Opening hours

The Department is open from 8.30am-5pm, Monday-Friday (excluding Friday afternoons).

Location

Harrogate District Hospital
We are on the ground floor corridor, past Therapy Services (follow the white line) on the right hand side. The sign indicates the Maxillofacial Orthodontics Department.

Referral

Patients are usually referred by their general dental practice. However, where appropriate, a doctor can make a referral. Patients may also be referred by the Emergency Department, the inpatient wards or other hospital departments.

Once a referral is received by the team, it will be allocated to the appropriate consultant who specialises in the particular condition.

Key staff

Consultants: Mr Paul Whitfield and Mr Don Holt

Restorative Consultant: Mr Matt Gahan

Associate Specialist: Ms Rosalind Southee

Speciality Doctors: Mr Alastair Campbell

Sister: Jess Rennison

Dental Nurse Specialist: Sue Combe

Dental Nurses: Melissa Pilling, Tom Harrison, and Emma Bolland

Useful links

The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons is a registered charity which promotes the development of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the British Isles.