Debt and Stress Amongst Orthodontic Residents
Abstract
Background: The cost of education to become an orthodontist has increased significantly over recent years which has led to an increase in debt of graduating orthodontists.
Aim: This paper aims to assess whether debt amongst orthodontic residents in North America is associated with their stress levels, attitudes towards debt, financial literacy and mathematics anxiety.
Materials and Methods: Web-based software was used to fabricate a questionnaire, based on previously validated scales, in which respondents were asked questions regarding their debt levels, stress levels, attitudes towards debt, financial literacy and math anxiety.
Results: A total of 101 orthodontic residents completed the online questionnaire, for a response rate of 8.6%. The mean debt level was found to be moderated positively correlated to stress level (r=.51, p
Conclusions: Orthodontic resident debt levels are associated with higher stress and their attitudes towards debt.