Occupational Stress in Orthodontics: A Cross-Sectional Survey among Nepalese Practitioners

Abstract

Background
Orthodontists may experience varying degrees of stress since they spend a lot of time with the same patient before concluding treatment, and their meetings with each patient need long working hours. The objective of the study was to identify the potential stressors of orthodontic practice that cause stress among orthodontists in Nepal.
Methods
This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data were collected from 125 Nepal Medical Council Registered Orthodontists of Nepal through random sampling technique with the help of self-administered Occupational Stress Questionnaire by Roth et al., related to the practice of orthodontics, created with the help of Google Form as an online-based survey by sending the link of Google form. The questionnaire consisted of 19 questions, which assessed the severity of stress experienced by the orthodontists while dealing with patients. The study duration was 6 months (12th September 2025 to 12th March 2026). Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, mean, and Standard Deviation) was used to describe the categorical and quantitative variables. 
Results
Out of 125 participants, 82 were male and 43 were female. The age of the males was 34.43±4.332 (mean ± Standard Deviation SD) and of the females were 32.07±5.646 (mean ± SD). The most concerning stressor contributing significantly to occupational stress was to see relapse in patients on retention after orthodontic treatment is over (2.76±0.429). Out of 19 possible stressors, 9 stressors were found most concerning to occupational stress. Overall occupational stress score was 1.91±0.458, with 78.4% of participants reporting orthodontic practice as moderately stressful and 6.4% as very stressful. 
Conclusions
Evaluation of the occupational stress and determination of the potential stressors perceived by orthodontists in Nepal showed that the most concerning stressors in orthodontic practice was to see relapse in patients on retention after orthodontic treatment is over.