Oral Surgeons Cocoa, Fl
Our practice was founded in Cocoa in October 1985 by Dr. Gerald W. Bird. In August of 1995, Dr. Jay A. Johnson joined the practice and shortly thereafter built their second office location in Cocoa, FL.
Dr. Gerald Bird began his career at Western Michigan University, graduating in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. In 1980 he graduated from University of Detroit Mercy Dental School. Dr. Bird completed a one year general practice residency in 1981 and a three year residency in oral & maxillofacial surgery at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Allen Park, MI in 1984. After thoughtful consideration, he and his wife moved to Brevard County and opened the practice in Cocoa in October of 1985.
Dr. Bird is board certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery,a Fellow of the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, and an officer on the Florida Dental Association where he received the prestigious Dentist of the Year award for 2019. He is also a member of the American Dental Association, the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, the Pierre Fauchard Academy, the Florida Dental Association, the Central Florida District Dental Association, the Brevard County Dental Society, the Rotary Club of Cocoa and the Cocoa Beach Area and Melbourne Chamber of Commerce.
As a triathlete and avid health enthusiast, Dr. Bird makes health and wellness part of his daily life. He is married and has two children: Kevin is married and has a BS in Biology from Calvin College and a BSN from Valparaiso University. He married his wife Taylor in 2014, they now have one child. Kevin works in surgery at a hospital for children and Taylor works as a Autism Specialist in Education. Stephanie attained her BA in business administration, a minor in statistics and Spanish from Stetson University and is working in the Denver, Colorado area at Lockheed Martin.
Dr. Jay Johnson, was born and raised in Brevard County in Rockledge, Florida and joined Dr. Bird in practice in 1995. Dr. Johnson completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Florida in 1987 and in 1991, received his dental degree from the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry. He furthered his education by completing a four year residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Dr. Johnson is board certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and is a Fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He is also a member of the American Dental Association, the Pierre Fauchard Academy, the American College of Dentists, the Florida Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the Florida Dental Association, the Central Florida District Dental Association, the Brevard County Dental Society and the Melbourne Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
Dr. Johnson enjoys golf, swimming and running. He is married to Jill and they have two daughters, Emily and Elizabeth. Emily in now an elementary teacher in Florida and Elizabeth currently attends college.
How are Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons different from General Dentists?
We are an oral & maxillofacial surgery practice that provides evaluation and treatment of conditions that affect the teeth, soft tissue and bone of the mouth, jaws and facial regions. The specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery involves procedures that include but are not limited to extractions, dental implants, bone grafts to restore the alveolar ridge, oral and facial reconstruction and corrective jaw surgery. Intravenous sedation and general anesthesia are provided as indicated.
Our doctors are dentists who are board certified in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Our surgical staff is comprised of Certified Dental Assistants and Surgical Assistants who have completed certification as Oral Surgery Assistants through the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons. We also have experienced administrative staff with an extensive background in business and oral & maxillofacial surgery.
Our doctors completed four years of undergraduate school, followed by a four year dental program at accredited dental schools. They each completed an additional three to four year residency in the specialty of Oral & Maxillofacial surgery. Drs. Bird and Johnson are both Diplomats of the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, which means they are board certified in the specialty of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.
Q: What is Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?
A: Oral and Maxillofacial (Pronounced: Max - i - low - facial) Surgery encompasses the art and science of diagnosis, surgical and related treatment of diseases, injuries, deformities, defects and esthetic aspects of the oral and maxillofacial area. The word "maxillofacial" refers to the jaws and face.
Q: What does it mean to be Board Certified in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery?
A: Both Drs. Bird and Johnson graduated from an accredited dental school and are licensed in the state of Florida. In addition, Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are trained to treat patients in the hospital, outpatient facilities, surgery centers and in private offices.
The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is recognized by the American Dental Association as the specialty board for oral and maxillofacial surgery. The Board is responsible for reviewing all applicants for board certification as well as administering the examinations involved in the certification process.
In order to become board certified, an individual must complete an intensive application and examination process. Applicants for board certification in oral and maxillofacial surgery must provide verified written evidence of their educational and training qualifications. In addition, these individuals must provide evidence of their experience in all aspects of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Letters of recommendation from board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeons attesting to an applicant's acceptable ethical and moral standing in the profession and community are also require as part of the certification procedure. The applications of all candidates for board certification are reviewed by the Board's Credentials Committee.
Finally, Drs. Bird and Johnson were both required to pass a thorough written qualifying examination and a rigorous oral certifying examination to be certified as a diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. diplomates are encouraged to maintain current competence by ongoing continuing education. In addition, diplomates are recertified in current competency every ten years by a comprehensive written examination.
Continuing professional education is an important tool keeping oral and maxillofacial surgeons current on new developments in the field. This is accomplished through national meetings, seminars, lectures, special courses, panels, symposia, and self-study. The Board Certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon has a demonstrated commitment to continued professional development. The American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery encourages their diplomates to continue their professional development through various educational experiences.
