About Azerbaijan society of Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons.

The origination of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in Azerbaijan can be linked to a scientific study published by prof. Gulubala Rahman Gurbanov- the founder of maxillofacial and reconstructive surgery in Azerbaijan in 1936 with “Surgical Dentistry in Experimental Conditions”.

Professor Gulu Gurbanov (1896-1976)

G.Gurbanov with collegues during surgery

Prof. Gurbanov, who has been active in the treatment of wounded during World War II, has incorporated his own experience into the world of classical plastic surgery with his book titled «Plastic Surgery Techniques for Reconstruction of facial soft tissues after gunshot injuries”.

The first Surgical Stomatology Department in Azerbaijan was established in 1956 at the Medical University (headed by prof. G.Gurbanov).

The clinical base of the Department was maintained by the Trauma & Orthopedic Science Research Institution with only 20-bed ward. 

In 1961, the first specialized 60-bed ward within Department of Maxillofacial Surgery was established at the Baku State Hospital. 

All of the department leaders: associate professor Bakhish Huseynov (1974-1980), professor Teymur Babayev (1987-2007), professor Chingiz Rahimov (2007 to present) were active in developing the therapeutic plan, supervised the various scientific research and were encouraging young scientists to conduct research by granting scientific titles.

In 1974 second 20-bed specialized OMFS department was established at the Republic Clinical Hospital in Baku. Which was later used as a training center for research-development courses for postgraduates (lead by prof. Ogtay Sayidbayov).

In 1977 the OMFS department in Baku State Hospital provided a ward for pediatric patients and found the Pediatric OMFS.

In 1978 the 1-year dental-surgery internship position was created for undergraduates of Medical University.

Since 2006, the Department of Surgical Dentistry at the Medical University has been renamed as the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. 

Since 2008, maxillofacial surgery has been included in the list of specialties of the Ministry of Health as an independent field. Since 2010, graduates of the dental faculty were obligated to undergo the 5-year residency education program in order to gain the degree of Maxillofacial Surgeon.

The certification procedures by the Ministry of Health are required for the specialists who were trained abroad.

Azerbaijani Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

In 2017, a group of leading oral and maxillofacial surgeons come together and put forward the initiative of establishing a single society of the specialty- Azerbaijan Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AzOMFS). The chairman of the society, professor Chingiz Rahimov, head of the oral and maxillofacial surgery department of Azerbaijan Medical University, is elected.

Govermental registration certificate of AzOMFS.

Currently, the number of active members of AzOMFS is reaching 300, of which 6 are Doctor of Science and more than 30 members are holding PhD degree, 60 active maxillofacial surgeons. AzOMFS members are distributed as honorary, active, associate members, as well as residents and students. At the same time, AzOMFS members are also members of various international and European societies, such as IAOMS, EACMFS, AO CMF etc.

Activity of AzOMFS

Since its establishment, AzOMFS has chosen to work with its international partners to integrate into the international community.

In 2018 AzOMFS become Affiliated Association of International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons (İAOMS) and Officially recognized National Association by European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial surgery (EACMFS). 

More than 30 well-known foreign surgeons and EACMF representatives from all around the world were invited to the AzOMFS Presentation Ceremony (June 29-30, 2018, Baku) and with their participation the Scientific Forum «Challenges in modern Oral and Maxillofacial surgery” was held on.

AzOMFS conducts scientific and practical courses on current problems of oral and maxillofacial surgery in every two months. The most spectacular of these was the Society’s 1st International Scientific Congress March 14-16, 2019, under the motto ‘’Building a Better Future’’. The Congress was held at the Convention Center Baku in the most magnificent congress arena of the country. Famous specialists from different countries like USA, Turkey, Russia, Italy, India, Germany, England, Scotland, Netherlands, Iran, Ukraine, Thailand, Jordan, Georgia and also official representatives from International and European Associations of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons have been invited. 

Together with them, Azerbaijan’s oral and maxillofacial surgeons, professionals close to this area of specialization working in various public and private health care facilities, and totally more than 500 scientists, doctors and residents have attended the Congress. 

The rich Scientific Program of the Congress included 135 research works, 25 of which were presented in Plenary sessions, 75 Oral presentation, 16 Poster demonstrations, and the rest as a thesis. Master classes were also organized during the Congress to improve the skills of physicians. There have been conducted several practical trainings with international experts related to OMFS on ongoing issues. 

1st International Congress of AzOMFS ( 14-16 March 2019)

Today, local experts are able to implement the achievements of world oral and maxillofacial surgery in Azerbaijan: microsurgery, endoscopic surgery, diagnostics and treatment based on digital computer technology, navigation surgery, craniofacial surgery, and more. 

The specialists from Azerbaijan are known for their innovative methods in world scientific forums through the application of advanced technology in reconstructive surgery.

Innovation surgical procedure preformed under supervision of Prof. C.Rahimov.

At the EACMFS Congress held in Madrid, AzOMFS chairman Professor C. Rahimov presented as an invited speaker and chaired one of the sessions.

In order for Baku to hold the EACMFS Congress, AzOMFS Chairman Professor Ch. Rahimov participated in the EACMFS Presidential elections оf 2026 and 2028 and became one of the most realistic candidates. As we have received support from many European countries, we became confident that Baku is capable to host such a prestigious event at highest level.

Furthermore, AzOMFS became a member of another prominent international organization - International College for Maxillofacial Surgeons (ICMFS), which has a history of more than 50 years. Taking into account the growing reputation of our country in the world and the active participation of members of the Society in international events, AzOMFS Chairman Professor Chingiz Rahimov was elected to the position of Vice-President of that organization in 2023, and it was decided to hold the 33rd Congress of this organization in Baku in 2025. At the 32nd Congress of the ICMFS, AzOMFS representatives Professor Chingiz Rahimov and Associate Professor Farman Hasanov presented as an invited speakers and chaired one of the sessions.

 Notable days:

1. May 5, 2017. A group of leading oral and maxillofacial surgeons come together and put forward the initiative of establishing a single society of the specialty- Azerbaijan Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. 
2. September 29, 2017. Azerbaijan Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AzOMFS) is officially registered as a non-governmental public organization in thr Republic of Azerbaijan.
3. In 2018 AzOMFS become Affiliated Association of IAOMS and Officially recognized National Association by EACMFS.
4. 29 June 2018 - Scientific Medical Forum with participation of international speakers: Challenges in modern Oral and maxillofacial surgery. Invited speakers. 
5. 30 June 2018 - Grand Presentation Azerbaijan Society of Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons 
6. 14-16 September 2018 – Minimal Invasive Sinus Lift Procedure: hands-on and live surgery course. 
7. 29-30 October 2018 - Creating Predictable Outcomes: A New Generation of Tools: hands-on and live surgery course. 
8. 18-19 January 2019 – Immediate loading by implementation of All in 4™ concept. 
9. 14-16 Mach 2019 - 1st International Congress of Azerbaijan Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. ( https://2019.az-omfs.az)
10. September 15-18, 2020. At the EACMFS Congress held in Paris, among other prestigious organizations, AzOMFS was included as an GUEST SOCIETY. In the special session devoted to AzOMFS, leading specialists of the society presented 6 presentations and won the largest number of listeners among other invited societies.
11. September 17-20, 2020. At the EACMFS Congress held in Madrid, AzOMFS chairman Professor C. Rahimov presented as an invited speaker and chaired one of the sessions.
12. May 1-5, 2023. At the 32nd Congress of the International College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (ICMFS), AzOMFS representatives Professor Chingiz Rahimov and Associate Professor Farman Hasanov presented as an invited speakers and chaired one of the sessions.
13. 1-5 may 2023.AzOMFS became a member of International College for Maxillofacial Surgeons (ICMFS). Professor Chingiz Rahimov was elected to the position of Vice-President of that organization
14. 2025 -33rd Congress ICMFS will be held in Baku 

Humanitarian aid to Ukrainian colleagues from Azerbaijan Society of Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons.

The Azerbaijan Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AzOMFS) extends a helping hand to the Society of Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons of Ukraine. From the very beginning of the events in Ukraine, AzOMFS contacted its Ukrainian colleagues and obtained information about their needs based on the principles of humanism and cooperation in the form of active members with rich experience gained in the First and Second Karabakh Wars. Academician Vladislav Malanchuk, President of the Ukrainian Society of Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons, noted that at the current stage, special tools and materials are needed for osteosynthesis operations in the treatment of facial gunshot wounds and injuries by other means. 

AzOMFS offers instrument, reconstructive and mini titanium plates etc. produced by leading companies. and managed to deliver the help worth 7000 € to the right address. AzOMFS has assured its Ukrainian colleagues that it will not spare its humanitarian actions in the future.

In 20.04.2022 our association received instrumentation and necessary supply for osteosynthesis of injuries of the facial skull, manufactured by the world’s leading manufacturing companies, sent by the Azerbaijan Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons.

 “This humanitarian aid has significantly increased our ability to provide specialized medical care to victims of Russian aggression. We are sincerely thankful and grateful to Prof. Rahimov Ch.R. for this initiative in organizing humanitarian aid addressed to our Association. 

Our long-term professional contacts, joint work at scientific forums in Baku and in Europe testify to the professional community of maxillofacial surgeons from our countries, Europe and the whole world. We wish our Azerbaijani colleagues good health and success. We would like to thank everyone who supported us during this difficult time.”

Prof. Malanchuk V.O. President of the Ukrainian Association of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgeons

Humanitarian aid to victims of earthquake in Turkey 

The Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of Azerbaijan has transferred 5500 US dollars collected by the members of the Society to the account of AFAD, based on the principles of humanism and benevolence in connection with the terrible earthquake that occurred in Turkey, which caused many casualties.

“Dear Prof. Dr. Chingiz Rahimov,

Dear Friend,

Thank you for the help you sent. It is a very valuable and empowering resource for us to learn that you, our brothers and sisters, share our sorrow and pain during these difficult times. Thank you for your sensitive thoughts and support.”

President, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Society 

Hakan H. Tüz, DDS, PhD,Prof., Dep. OMFS, Hacettepe University