Integrating Soft Skills into Orthodontic Education and Practice: A Comparative Analysis of Residents and Experienced Professionals

Abstract Introduction: The soft skills are the collection of attributes, abilities, and attitudes that are necessary to achieve success and fruitful employment. Objectives: The goal of this study was to evaluate orthodontic practitioners’ awareness and use of soft skills. Methods: Participants completed a questionnaire containing 27 objective questions about their awareness of and usage of soft skills in their professional activities. In addition, participants were asked to rank the soft abilities on a scale of 1 to 5. The sample was divided into three subgroups: (A) orthodontic residents, (B) orthodontists with <5 years of experience, and (C) orthodontists with more than 5 years of experience. Intergroup comparisons were conducted using the Kruskal–Wallis test. The Mann–Whitney test was employed to compare the sexual differences ( P < 0.05). Results: This observational study’s sample consisted of 129 experienced orthodontic professionals and residents (37 men and 92 women) with a mean age of 35.3 years. Out of the entire data, 54.6% stated that they had never received soft skill training. Every respondent reported that they applied the soft skills under consideration at a same rate (median 4-5). Residents reported using fewer trustworthy sources for bibliographic research (46%). More female orthodontists than males asked professors and other professionals for help. Communication and ethics were widely regarded as the most important soft skills. The value of soft skills such as leadership and information management was frequently rated lower. Discussion: Soft skills significantly influence the quality of clinical care, patient engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The results underscore the need for orthodontic programs to go beyond traditional technical instruction and foster a learning environment where soft skills are cultivated deliberately. This can be achieved through workshops, mentorship, simulated interactions, and reflective learning modules. Conclusion: Residents and orthodontists demonstrated a misunderstanding of soft skills. The capacity to communicate was frequently used and regarded as the most important soft skill.