Oral Health Education in Nursing Training Programs in Germany

NCT07584616 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 11/2/26
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 7,600
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief 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. 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.

Conditions

Nursing Education; Health Education; Oral Health Care; Oral Health Education

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• 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: 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.

  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.

  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.

  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.

  Day 1

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Coverage of Oral Health Care Topics Reported by Educational Leaders

  Day 1

• Coverage of Oral Health Care Topics Reported by Learners

  Day 1

• Self-Reported Ability to Recognize Oral Abnormalities Assessed by Likert-Scale Questionnaire

  Day 1

• Educational Need for Additional Oral Health Care Training Assessed by Likert-Scale Questionnaire

  Day 1

Study Arms (2)

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.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

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.

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Medical Center Goettingen: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Health Education

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Adherence Interventions; Medication Adherence; Patient Compliance; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Treatment Adherence and Compliance; Health Behavior; Behavior

Central Study Contacts

Jana Biermann, Dr. med. dent.

CONTACT

00495513960888; jana.biermann@med.uni-goettingen.de

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principle Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 30, 2026
• First Posted: May 13, 2026
• Study Start: May 6, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Last Updated: May 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share