Psychological Distress Among Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Professionals: A Systematic Review

Psychological distress among oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) professionals is increasingly recognized as a concern due to the demanding nature of training and clinical practice. This systematic review aimed to synthesize available evidence on perceived stress and psychological distress among OMFS surgeons, residents, and trainees. A comprehensive search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was conducted up to April 10, 2026. Six cross-sectional studies comprising 1,149 OMFS participants met the inclusion criteria. Due to substantial heterogeneity in measurement instruments, study populations, and outcome reporting, a meta-analysis was not performed, and findings were synthesized narratively in accordance with Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) principles. Across studies, a consistently high burden of psychological distress was observed, with moderate-to-severe anxiety reported in a substantial proportion of trainees and nearly half of surgeons classified as at risk of burnout. Residents demonstrated higher perceived stress levels compared to practicing surgeons. Workload-related factors, including long working hours and frequent on-call duties, were strongly associated with increased stress and burnout risk. In contrast, psychosocial factors such as academic pressure and workplace dynamics further contributed. Despite variability in measurement approaches, a consistent relationship was observed between increased occupational demands and reduced well-being. The findings highlight the need for standardized assessment tools and targeted interventions addressing both individual and institutional factors to improve mental health outcomes and support workforce sustainability in OMFS.