This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the level of knowledge and expectations among medical students deciding on a future orthodontic treatment have about post-orthodontic retention and to investigate the influence of socio cultural characteristics. Material and methods: A total of 166 consecutive medical students involved as legal decision maker for a prospective orthodontic treatment received before their first appointment a questionnaire to assess their knowledge and expectations about post-orthodontic retention. Data were analysed descriptively, whereas predictors were identified with logistic regressions at P value of less than or equal to 0.463 Results: Among the 166 responders, 86.3 per cent (n = 147) knew that retention appliances are used after orthodontic treatment and 69.9 per cent (n = 116) believed perfect results can guarantee stability, whereas at the same time, 75.9 per cent (n = 126) knew that teeth can move on their own without any orthodontic appliances. The majority considered stability of the orthodontic result important or extremely important (69.3 per cent; n = 115), preferred removable over bonding retainers (60.2 per cent; n = 100), believed the patient to be primarily responsible for a stable result (48.2 per cent; n = 80), and found it appropriate to charge for recall visits (63.3 per cent; n = 105). Conclusions: Although stability of orthodontic treatment results is very important to people deciding about a prospective orthodontic treatment, knowledge regarding the need for post orthodontic retention varies and may at times be contradictious.