The Institute is an international organisation and charity with membership affiliation in over 24 countries. Its objectives are:

1. To promote study and improve practicing standards
2. To provide a qualifying basis for the statutory registration of all Maxillofacial Prosthetists
3. To advise the appropriate bodies as to the conditions required to operate a competent safe service for patients
4. To promote communication with other health professional groups in science, surgery, dentistry and medicine.
5. To encourage the interchange of knowledge and professional standards beneficial to the treatment of patients

The Institute is an established professional body that oversees the training, qualifications and practice of the Maxillofacial Prosthetist while at the same time maintaining a communication and support network for the membership. The Institute also works alongside and advises medical, professional and governmental groups on issues relevant to the specialty.

The foundations of the Institute were set down during the period immediately after the second world war. Specialist surgical technicians working in oral surgery units alongside their dental and medically qualified surgical colleagues met informally for mutual support. During the late 1950s this group became the Maxillofacial Technicians Association with the first scientific congress held in 1961.