Oral Health Education in Nursing Training Programs in Germany
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- This is an observational study: the protocol does not assign a study treatment.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Oral Health Care, Nursing Education, Health Education, Oral Health Education. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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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
Overview
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.
Primary outcome measures
- Curricular Integration of Oral Health Care Content Assessed by a Self-Developed Questionnaire [Time frame: Day 1]
- Extent of Theoretical Oral Health Care Teaching Assessed by Questionnaire [Time frame: Day 1]
- Learner Exposure to Oral Health Care Education Assessed by Questionnaire [Time frame: Day 1]
- Self-Reported Competence in Oral Health Care Assessed by Likert-Scale Questionnaire [Time frame: Day 1]
Secondary outcome measures (4)
- 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]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- 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
Exclusion criteria
- 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
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Observational model
- Other
Study locations
Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07584616 · 11/2/26