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Kyle S. Ettinger, M.D., D.D.S.

  1. Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon
  2. Surgical Oncologist
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Departments

Specialty Groups

Location

  1. Rochester, Minnesota

Languages

English

Existing patients

Appointments

Kyle S. Ettinger, M.D., D.D.S., is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, who cares for people facing complex diseases, disorders, and structural conditions affecting the head and neck. He approaches every interaction with compassion and clarity, helping individuals and families navigate diagnoses that often feel overwhelming.

Dr. Ettinger works across every stage of surgical care, providing a seamless experience and coordinated approach from one connected team. Whether care involves treating cancer, rebuilding facial features, or helping restore important functions like speaking, chewing, and swallowing, he guides individuals through time-sensitive decisions with clarity and a calm, reassuring presence.

Areas of Expertise

Dr. Ettinger designs surgical care around each person’s unique anatomy, long‑term goals, and daily function. His clinical focus includes:

  • Head and neck tumor removal: Surgical management of benign and malignant tumors involving the skin, face, mouth, jaws, throat, and salivary glands.
  • Microvascular free tissue transfer: Reconstruction of the head and neck using microvascular free flaps to restore structure and function in a single, coordinated surgical plan.
  • Head and neck cancer care: Management focused on long-term survivorship, quality of life, and functional restoration after resection.
  • Advanced reconstructive techniques: Use of virtual surgical planning, computer-aided modeling, and patient-specific 3D-printed titanium implants to ensure precision and reduce delays in time-sensitive surgical care.
  • Cranial nerve reconstruction: Micro-neurosurgical techniques to repair injuries and treat conditions affecting cranial nerves of the head and neck.
  • Comprehensive reconstruction with dental implants: Integration of dental implant surgery with free tissue transfer to support full oral rehabilitation for head and neck cancer patients.

Research and Education

Dr. Ettinger is committed to advancing surgical care through research aimed at improving outcomes and elevating the standard of care for people with head and neck conditions. His work includes numerous scientific publications and authorship of textbook chapters on head and neck cancer management, virtual surgical planning/computer guided surgery, individualized surgical care, sarcomas, facial trauma, and principles of local, regional, and free flap reconstruction.

As an educator, he mentors residents in oral and maxillofacial surgery and other surgical disciplines, reflecting Mayo Clinic’s dedication to shaping future surgical leaders

As Director of Innovation for the Department of Surgery, Dr. Ettinger fosters strategic collaborations that advance surgical techniques, drive technological innovation, and translate research into clinical impact.

  1. Acinic cell carcinoma
  2. Adenoid cystic carcinoma
  3. Ameloblastoma
  4. Basal cell carcinoma
  5. Cancer
  6. Central giant cell granuloma
  7. Chondrosarcoma
  8. Facial deformity
  9. Facial fracture
  10. Facial injury
  11. Facial laceration
  12. Facial skin cancer
  13. Fibrous dysplasia
  14. Floor of the mouth cancer
  15. Foreign body injury
  16. Gum cancer
  17. Head and neck cancer
  18. Hypopharyngeal cancer
  19. Impacted tooth
  20. Impacted wisdom teeth
  21. Inner cheek cancer
  22. Jaw cancer
  23. Jaw tumors and cysts
  24. Laryngeal cancer
  25. Lip cancer
  26. Malunion
  27. Mouth cancer
  28. Mouth injury
  29. Mouth tumor
  30. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma
  31. Nasal and paranasal tumors
  32. Nasal cancer
  33. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
  34. Neck metastasis
  35. Nonunion
  36. Oral and throat cancer
  37. Oral ulcerative condition
  38. Orbital fracture
  39. Oroantral fistula
  40. Oronasal fistula
  41. Oropharyngeal cancer
  42. Osteoblastoma
  43. Osteochondroma
  44. Osteomyelitis
  45. Osteoradionecrosis
  46. Osteosarcoma
  47. Parotid gland tumor
  48. Pharyngeal cancer
  49. Pleomorphic adenoma
  50. Radiation injury
  51. Roof of mouth cancer
  52. Salivary gland stone
  53. Salivary gland tumor
  54. Sarcoma
  55. Skin cancer
  56. Skin tumor
  57. Soft palate cancer
  58. Soft tissue sarcoma
  59. Sports injury
  60. Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin
  61. Throat cancer
  62. Thyroglossal duct cyst
  63. Tongue cancer
  64. Tonsil cancer
  65. Tooth abscess
  66. Vascular malformation
  67. Warthin's tumor
  1. Alveolar bone grafting
  2. Buccal fat pad flap
  3. Cancer rehabilitation
  4. Cancer treatment
  5. Complex wound repair
  6. Correction of facial surgery complication
  7. Craniofacial surgery
  8. Dental implant surgery
  9. Facial fracture repair
  10. Facial reconstruction
  11. Fibula free flap
  12. Flap surgery
  13. Free muscle transfer
  14. Glossectomy
  15. Head and neck cancer surgery
  16. Head and neck reconstruction
  17. Iliac crest bone graft
  18. Impacted tooth removal
  19. Intravenous sedation
  20. Jaw surgery
  21. Laryngectomy
  22. Lip frenotomy
  23. Mandibular reconstruction
  24. Maxillary reconstruction
  25. Microvascular reconstruction
  26. Microvascular surgery
  27. Minimally invasive cancer surgery
  28. Neck dissection
  29. Neck surgery
  30. Nerve graft
  31. Nonunion surgery
  32. Nonvascularized bone graft
  33. Oral biopsy
  34. Oral cancer screening
  35. Oral surgery
  36. Orbital reconstruction
  37. Oroantral fistula repair
  38. Oronasal fistula repair
  39. Parotid gland surgery
  40. Parotidectomy
  41. Radial forearm free flap
  42. Reconstructive surgery
  43. Scar revision
  44. Sentinel lymph node surgery
  45. Sentinel node biopsy
  46. Skin biopsy
  47. Skin cancer excision
  48. Skin cancer reconstruction
  49. Skin cyst removal
  50. Skin surgery
  51. Sublingual gland removal
  52. Submandibular gland removal
  53. Temporalis flap
  54. Tongue reduction surgery
  55. Tooth extraction
  56. Tracheostomy
  57. Trauma care
  58. Vascularized bone grafting
  59. Vermilionectomy
  60. Wisdom tooth extraction
  1. 2018
    Fellowship - Mayo Clinic Scholar - Fellowship, Head & Neck Oncologic Surgery – Microvascular ReconstructionUniversity of Florida
  2. 2017
    ResidentOral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Programs in Rochester, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
  3. 2017
    Resident - Department of Surgery, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial SurgeryMayo Clinic College of Medicine
  4. 2014
    MDMayo Clinic College of Medicine
  5. 2011
    DDS - Doctor of Dental Surgery, Rank 1/54University of Washington School of Dentistry
  6. 2007
    BS - Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology, Magna Cum Laude, Minor in International StudiesUniversity of Washington

Certifications

  1. 2019
    Oral & Maxillofacial SurgeryAmerican Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Awards and honors

  1. 2021
    Laskin Award Best Paper of 2021Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and OMS Foundation
  2. 2020
    Faculty Educator Development Award (FEDA)American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  3. 2018
    American Academy of Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons 2018 Annual Meeting Best Paper Award in the Section of Craniomaxillofacial Reconstructive SurgeryAmerican Academy of Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons
  4. 2018
    Nomination Laskin Best PaperJournal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and OMS Foundation
  5. 2016
    Nomination for Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Laskin Best Paper of 2016 awardJournal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  6. 2016
    Nomination for Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Laskin Best Paper of 2016: " Hypotensive anesthesia is associated with shortened length of hospital stay following orthognathic surgery." Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  7. 2015
    Nomination for Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Laskin Best Paper of 2015 AwardJournal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  8. 2011
    American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons Dental Student AwardUniversity of Washington School of Dentistry
  9. 2011
    American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology Dental Student AwardUniversity of Washington School of Dentistry
  10. 2011
    Quintessence Publishing Company Academic Achievement AwardUniversity of Washington School of Dentistry
  11. 2011
    American College of Dentists F. Burns Guthrie Memorial ScholarshipUniversity of Washington School of Dentistry
  12. 2011
    Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity Highest Academic Standing Award for the University of Washington School of DentistryUniversity of Washington School of Dentistry
  13. 2011
    Dental Student AwardAmerican Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology
  14. 2010
    Dental Alumni Association ScholarshipUniversity of Washington School of Dentistry
  15. 2010
    Department of Pediatric Dentistry Outstanding Student AwardUniversity of Washington School of Dentistry
  16. 2010
    Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society ScholarshipUniversity of Washington School of Dentistry
  17. 2009
    Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society ScholarshipUniversity of Washington School of Dentistry
  18. 2009
    Department of Prosthodontics Brian Toolson Endowed ScholarshipUniversity of Washington School of Dentistry
  19. 2009
    Department of Restorative Dentistry Earl C. Maston ScholarshipUniversity of Washington School of Dentistry
  20. 2008
    Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society ScholarshipUniversity of Washington School of Dentistry
  21. 2003
    University of Washington Annual Deans ListUniversity of Washington
  22. 2003
    University of Washington Undergraduate Scholar AwardUniversity of Washington

Professional memberships

  1. 2026 - present
    National Board MemberAmerican Academy of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgeons
  2. 2023 - present
    Practice ChairPractice Committee
  3. 2023 - present
    National Committee MemberNRG Oncology, Head and Neck Cancer Core Committee
  4. 2020 - present
    Committee MemberDepartment of Surgery, Education Committee
  5. 2020 - present
    Committee MemberDepartment of Surgery, Diversity and Inclusion Subcommittee
  6. 2019 - 2020
    PresidentZumbro Valley Dental Society
  7. 2019 - present
    Committee MemberDepartment of Surgery, Research Executive Committee
  8. 2019 - present
    Associate Program DirectorDepartment of Surgery, Division of Oral Diagnosis and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  9. 2018 - 2019
    Vice PresidentZumbro Valley Dental Society
  10. 2018 - present
    Committee MemberSurgical Peer Review Research Committee
  11. 2018 - present
    Committee ChairDepartment of Surgery, Division of Oral Diagnosis and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Clinical Competency Committee
  12. 2018 - present
    Research ChairDepartment of Surgery, Division of Oral Diagnosis and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
  13. 2018 - present
    Fellow MemberAmerican Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  14. 2018 - present
    MemberAmerican College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  15. 2017 - present
    MemberAmerican College of Surgeons
  16. 2014 - 2017
    Resident MemberAmerican College of Surgeons
  17. 2014 - 2017
    MemberMayo Fellows Association
  18. 2014 - present
    MemberAmerican Medical Association
  19. 2014 - present
    MemberMinnesota Medical Association
  20. 2014 - present
    MemberZumbro Valley Medical Society
  21. 2011 - 2016
    Program Liaison for Resident OrganizationAmerican Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  22. 2011 - present
    MemberZumbro Valley Dental Society
  23. 2011 - present
    MemberOmicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society

Publications

Research activities

See a description of research activities.