Oral Health Education in Nursing Training Programs in Germany

University Medical Center Goettingen

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Oral Health Care; Oral Health Education; Nursing Education; Health Education

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07584616

11/2/26

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full 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.

Enrollment: 7,600 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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

Trial design

7,600 participants in 2 patient groups

Educational Leadership Group

Description:

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

Description:

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.