Oral Health CareNCT07584616
Oral Health Education in Nursing Training Programs in Germany
An observational study of Oral Health Care and Nursing Education, run by University Medical Center Goettingen.
Trial summary
This study aims to assess the current state of oral health education in nursing training programs in Germany. Good oral health is an important component of general health, yet it is often insufficiently addressed in nursing practice and education. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Oral Health Care, Nursing Education, Health Education
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- How many people
- 7,600 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 6 May 2026to 1 Sep 2026
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: The study population consists of individuals involved in vocational and academic nursing education programs in Germany. This includes educational leaders, such as school directors, curriculum coordinators, and program leads, as well as nursing trainees and students enrolled in primary qualifying nursing programs. Participants are recruited nationwide through nursing schools and higher education institutions offering nursing training or degree programs. Educational leaders provide information on curricular structures, teaching content, instructional methods, and institutional characteristics related to oral health care education. Nursing trainees and students provide information on their exposure to oral health education, perceived competence in oral health care, practical experience, and educational needs. Only adults aged 18 years or older who are able to understand German and provide informed consent are included.
Who may be able to join
- Age ≥18 years
- Educational leaders (e.g., school directors, curriculum coordinators, or program leads) in vocational nursing schools or primary qualifying nursing degree programs in Germany- OR
- Nursing trainees enrolled in vocational nursing training programs in Germany, OR
- Students enrolled in primary qualifying nursing degree programs in Germany
- Ability to understand German
- Provision of informed consent
Who cannot join
- Age <18 years
- Not belonging to one of the defined target groups
- Inability to understand the German language sufficiently to complete the questionnaire
- No provision of informed consent
Trial locations and contacts
No sites are listed yet. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Oral Health in Nursing Education: A Nationwide Survey on Teaching Content, Competencies, and Needs in Vocational Schools and Primary Qualifying Nursing Degree Programs in Germany
This study aims to assess the current state of oral health education in nursing training programs in Germany. Good oral health is an important component of general health, yet it is often insufficiently addressed in nursing practice and education.
This cross-sectional study uses self-developed standardized online questionnaires to collect data from educational leaders (such as school directors and program coordinators) as well as nursing trainees and students.
Read more
The survey examines how oral health topics are integrated into curricula, which content is taught, how teaching is delivered, and how learners assess their own competence and educational needs in this area.
The results of this study will provide a comprehensive overview of current practices and help identify gaps and opportunities to improve oral health education in nursing programs.
Read the detailed description
This study is a cross-sectional observational survey designed to assess the current state of oral health care education in nursing training programs in Germany.
Oral health is an important component of overall health and is particularly relevant in the care of dependent and vulnerable populations. However, previous research suggests that oral health care may not always be consistently addressed in nursing practice and that there is variability in knowledge and practical competence among nursing staff.
The study aims to systematically evaluate how oral health care content is integrated into vocational nursing training programs and primary qualifying nursing degree programs. In particular, the study examines the extent and structure of curricular integration, the range of topics covered, teaching and assessment methods, and structural conditions such as available resources and interprofessional collaboration.
Data are collected using self-developed standardized online questionnaires administered once to two groups: educational leaders (e.g., school directors and program coordinators) and nursing trainees or students. Educational leaders provide information on institutional and curricular characteristics, while learners provide information on their exposure to oral health education, perceived competence, practical experience, and educational needs.
The study is conducted nationwide across Germany using a non-probability sampling approach. Participation is voluntary and anonymous. No interventions are applied, and no follow-up assessments are conducted.
The results of this study are intended to provide a comprehensive overview of current educational practices and to identify gaps and opportunities for improving oral health care education in nursing training programs.
- Medical subject headings
- Health Education
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Leadership Group | This group includes educational leaders involved in nursing education programs in Germany, such as school directors, curriculum coordinators, and program leads in vocational nursing schools and primary qualifying nursing degree programs. Participants complete a self-developed standardized online questionnaire assessing curricular integration, teaching content, instructional methods, and structural conditions related to oral health education. | |
| Learner Group | This group includes nursing trainees and students enrolled in vocational nursing training programs or primary qualifying nursing degree programs in Germany. Only participants aged 18 years or older are included. Participants complete a self-developed standardized online questionnaire assessing exposure to oral health education, perceived competence in oral health care, practical experience, and educational needs. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Curricular Integration of Oral Health Care Content Assessed by a Self-Developed Questionnaire
Curricular integration of oral health care content will be assessed using a self-developed standardized online questionnaire completed by educational leaders. Participants select one of three categorical response options:
- = explicitly included as a separate topic/module
- = integrated into other topics/modules
- = not included/no specific content The categories describe the type of curricular integration of oral health care content and do not represent a validated numerical scale.
Measured: Day 1
Extent of Theoretical Oral Health Care Teaching Assessed by Questionnaire
Measured using a self-developed standardized online questionnaire completed by educational leaders. Participants report the approximate extent of theoretical teaching on oral health care using teaching units, European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), or semester hours. Responses are reported using predefined categorical ranges for teaching units, European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits, or semester hours.
Measured: Day 1
Learner Exposure to Oral Health Care Education Assessed by Questionnaire
Measured using a self-developed standardized online questionnaire completed by nursing trainees and students. The item assesses whether participants have received oral health care education during their training or study program. Response categories are: yes, multiple times; yes, once/briefly; or not yet/cannot remember. Higher exposure categories indicate more frequent exposure to oral health care education.
Measured: Day 1
Self-Reported Competence in Oral Health Care Assessed by Likert-Scale Questionnaire
Measured using a self-developed standardized online questionnaire completed by nursing trainees and students. Participants rate their perceived ability to perform appropriate oral care for a person in need of care on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5, where 1 indicates very low perceived competence and 5 indicates very high perceived competence. Higher scores indicate higher self-reported competence.
Measured: Day 1
Secondary outcomes (4)
Coverage of Oral Health Care Topics Reported by Educational Leaders
Measured using a self-developed standardized online questionnaire completed by educational leaders. Participants rate the extent to which predefined oral health care topics are taught using a 3-point categorical response scale: not covered, briefly covered, or covered in more detail. Categories describe increasing levels of topic coverage.
Measured: Day 1
Coverage of Oral Health Care Topics Reported by Learners
Measured using a self-developed standardized online questionnaire completed by nursing trainees and students. Participants rate the extent to which predefined oral health care topics were covered during their education using a 4-point categorical response scale: not at all, briefly, rather extensively, or very extensively. Categories describe increasing levels of perceived topic coverage.
Measured: Day 1
Self-Reported Ability to Recognize Oral Abnormalities Assessed by Likert-Scale Questionnaire
Measured using a self-developed standardized online questionnaire completed by nursing trainees and students. Participants rate their perceived ability to recognize oral abnormalities requiring medical or dental assessment on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5, where 1 indicates very low ability and 5 indicates very high ability. Higher scores indicate greater perceived ability.
Measured: Day 1
Educational Need for Additional Oral Health Care Training Assessed by Likert-Scale Questionnaire
Measured using a self-developed standardized online questionnaire completed by nursing trainees and students. Participants rate their agreement with statements regarding the need for more practical exercises and theoretical content using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). Higher scores indicate greater perceived need for additional training.
Measured: Day 1
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted13 May 2026
- Study start6 May 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Oral Health CareStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 7,600 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University Medical Center Goettingen
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Jana Biermann, University Medical Center Goettingen
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07584616
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 11/2/26
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 30 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 13 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 13 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Oral Health in Nursing Education: A Nationwide Survey on Teaching Content, Competencies, and Needs in Vocational Schools and Primary Qualifying Nursing Degree Programs in Germany
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07584616
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 11/2/26
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 7,600 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- University Medical Center GoettingenUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 6 May 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 13 May 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study aims to assess the current state of oral health education in nursing training programs in Germany. Good oral health is an important component of general health, yet it is often insufficiently addressed in nursing practice and education.
This cross-sectional study uses self-developed standardized online questionnaires to collect data from educational leaders (such as school directors and program coordinators) as well as nursing trainees and students.
The survey examines how oral health topics are integrated into curricula, which content is taught, how teaching is delivered, and how learners assess their own competence and educational needs in this area.
The results of this study will provide a comprehensive overview of current practices and help identify gaps and opportunities to improve oral health education in nursing programs.
Detailed description
This study is a cross-sectional observational survey designed to assess the current state of oral health care education in nursing training programs in Germany.
Oral health is an important component of overall health and is particularly relevant in the care of dependent and vulnerable populations. However, previous research suggests that oral health care may not always be consistently addressed in nursing practice and that there is variability in knowledge and practical competence among nursing staff.
The study aims to systematically evaluate how oral health care content is integrated into vocational nursing training programs and primary qualifying nursing degree programs. In particular, the study examines the extent and structure of curricular integration, the range of topics covered, teaching and assessment methods, and structural conditions such as available resources and interprofessional collaboration.
Data are collected using self-developed standardized online questionnaires administered once to two groups: educational leaders (e.g., school directors and program coordinators) and nursing trainees or students. Educational leaders provide information on institutional and curricular characteristics, while learners provide information on their exposure to oral health education, perceived competence, practical experience, and educational needs.
The study is conducted nationwide across Germany using a non-probability sampling approach. Participation is voluntary and anonymous. No interventions are applied, and no follow-up assessments are conducted.
The results of this study are intended to provide a comprehensive overview of current educational practices and to identify gaps and opportunities for improving oral health care education in nursing training programs.
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Leadership Group | – | –This group includes educational leaders involved in nursing education programs in Germany, such as school directors, curriculum coordinators, and program leads in vocational nursing schools and primary qualifying nursing degree programs. Participants complete a self-developed standardized online questionnaire assessing curricular integration, teaching content, instructional methods, and structural conditions related to oral health education. |
| Learner Group | – | –This group includes nursing trainees and students enrolled in vocational nursing training programs or primary qualifying nursing degree programs in Germany. Only participants aged 18 years or older are included. Participants complete a self-developed standardized online questionnaire assessing exposure to oral health education, perceived competence in oral health care, practical experience, and educational needs. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- The study population consists of individuals involved in vocational and academic nursing education programs in Germany. This includes educational leaders, such as school directors, curriculum coordinators, and program leads, as well as nursing trainees and students enrolled in primary qualifying nursing programs. Participants are recruited nationwide through nursing schools and higher education institutions offering nursing training or degree programs. Educational leaders provide information on curricular structures, teaching content, instructional methods, and institutional characteristics related to oral health care education. Nursing trainees and students provide information on their exposure to oral health education, perceived competence in oral health care, practical experience, and educational needs. Only adults aged 18 years or older who are able to understand German and provide informed consent are included.
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Age ≥18 years
- Educational leaders (e.g., school directors, curriculum coordinators, or program leads) in vocational nursing schools or primary qualifying nursing degree programs in Germany- OR
- Nursing trainees enrolled in vocational nursing training programs in Germany, OR
- Students enrolled in primary qualifying nursing degree programs in Germany
- Ability to understand German
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Age <18 years
- Not belonging to one of the defined target groups
- Inability to understand the German language sufficiently to complete the questionnaire
- No provision of informed consent
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Curricular Integration of Oral Health Care Content Assessed by a Self-Developed Questionnaire
Time frame: Day 1
Curricular integration of oral health care content will be assessed using a self-developed standardized online questionnaire completed by educational leaders. Participants select one of three categorical response options: 1. = explicitly included as a separate topic/module 2. = integrated into other topics/modules 3. = not included/no specific content The categories describe the type of curricular integration of oral health care content and do not represent a validated numerical scale.
Extent of Theoretical Oral Health Care Teaching Assessed by Questionnaire
Time frame: Day 1
Measured using a self-developed standardized online questionnaire completed by educational leaders. Participants report the approximate extent of theoretical teaching on oral health care using teaching units, European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), or semester hours. Responses are reported using predefined categorical ranges for teaching units, European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits, or semester hours.
Learner Exposure to Oral Health Care Education Assessed by Questionnaire
Time frame: Day 1
Measured using a self-developed standardized online questionnaire completed by nursing trainees and students. The item assesses whether participants have received oral health care education during their training or study program. Response categories are: yes, multiple times; yes, once/briefly; or not yet/cannot remember. Higher exposure categories indicate more frequent exposure to oral health care education.
Self-Reported Competence in Oral Health Care Assessed by Likert-Scale Questionnaire
Time frame: Day 1
Measured using a self-developed standardized online questionnaire completed by nursing trainees and students. Participants rate their perceived ability to perform appropriate oral care for a person in need of care on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5, where 1 indicates very low perceived competence and 5 indicates very high perceived competence. Higher scores indicate higher self-reported competence.
4 secondary outcomes
Coverage of Oral Health Care Topics Reported by Educational Leaders
Time frame: Day 1
Coverage of Oral Health Care Topics Reported by Learners
Time frame: Day 1
Self-Reported Ability to Recognize Oral Abnormalities Assessed by Likert-Scale Questionnaire
Time frame: Day 1
Educational Need for Additional Oral Health Care Training Assessed by Likert-Scale Questionnaire
Time frame: Day 1
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 13 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Oral Health Care and Nursing Education, run by University Medical Center Goettingen.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Jana Biermann, Dr. med. dent. (00495513960888, jana.biermann@med.uni-goettingen.de), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Curricular Integration of Oral Health Care Content Assessed by a Self-Developed Questionnaire (time frame: Day 1). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 May 2026.