Oral Health in Palliative Care: A Survey Study (OH-PAL)

February 24, 2026 updated by: Felix Marschner, University Medical Center Goettingen

Oral Health and Dental Care in Palliative Medicine: A Survey Study Among Patients and Members of the German Society for Palliative Medicine

Oral health problems such as xerostomia or oral infections are common in palliative care patients and can significantly impair quality of life. Adequate dental care may contribute substantially to symptom control and well-being; however, oral health and dental services are often insufficiently integrated into palliative care practice. In addition, little is known about the level of awareness, knowledge, and interprofessional collaboration regarding oral health among palliative care professionals.

This prospective, non-interventional survey study aims to assess the relevance of oral health in palliative care by surveying both palliative care patients and healthcare professionals who are members of the German Society for Palliative Medicine. The study investigates patients' oral health status, oral health-related quality of life, and access to dental care, as well as professionals' knowledge, attitudes, and current practices related to oral health and dental care in palliative settings. The findings are intended to identify existing gaps and inform strategies for improved integration of dental expertise into palliative care.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Detailed Description

Oral complaints are highly prevalent among patients receiving palliative care and are frequently caused or exacerbated by systemic diseases, cancer therapies, and medication-related side effects. Conditions such as xerostomia, oral candidiasis, mucositis, and pain can substantially affect nutrition, communication, comfort, and overall quality of life. Despite this high burden, oral health and dental care are often not systematically addressed in palliative care, and dental professionals are rarely integrated into interdisciplinary care structures.

To date, there is limited evidence regarding how oral health is perceived by palliative care patients, how dental care is organized and accessed in palliative settings, and how well palliative care professionals are informed about common oral health problems and their management. Furthermore, barriers and facilitators of interprofessional collaboration between palliative care teams and dental professionals remain insufficiently explored.

This prospective, non-interventional survey study aims to evaluate the role of oral health in palliative care from both patient and professional perspectives. Members of the German Society for Palliative Medicine (DGP) will be invited to participate in an anonymous online survey distributed via email and newsletter, with reminders sent after six and twelve weeks. The questionnaire for healthcare professionals assesses the relevance of oral health and dental care in daily clinical practice, knowledge of common oral conditions such as xerostomia and candidiasis, use of information sources and continuing education, and the integration of oral health topics into professional training and education.

Palliative care patients will be recruited through direct personal approach and will complete a pseudonymized paper-based questionnaire. Patient-reported outcomes include current oral health status, presence of oral complaints, access to dental care, and oral health-related quality of life measured using the German version of the Oral Health Impact Profile 14.

As this is a survey-based study, no clinical examinations or interventions are performed. Participation consists solely of completing the questionnaire once and is not part of routine clinical care. Eligible participants include adult, consent-capable palliative care patients whose health status allows questionnaire completion, as well as consent-capable DGP members. Individuals under 18 years of age or unable or unwilling to provide informed consent are excluded.

Data collection is conducted at the University Medical Center Göttingen. The results are expected to provide insights into current deficits, educational needs, and structural challenges and to support the development of strategies for better integration of oral health and dental care into palliative care services.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

151

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Germany
    • Germany
      • Göttingen, Germany, Germany, 37075

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population includes adult, consent-capable patients receiving palliative care at the Palliative Care Department of University Medical Center Göttingen, as well as consent-capable members of the German Society for Palliative Medicine (DGP). Patients are under the care of the palliative team at the clinic, and DGP members represent healthcare professionals involved in palliative care across various disciplines in Germany.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • consent-capable patients receiving palliative care
  • patients whose health status allows completion of a questionnaire
  • consent-capable members of the German Society for Palliative Medicine

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Participants under 18 years of age
  • Individuals who are unable or unwilling to provide informed consent

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Patients in palliative care
Patients receiving palliative care at the Department of Palliative Medicine of University Medical Center Göttingen
Members of the German Society for Palliative Medicine
Members of the German Society for Palliative Medicine, including healthcare professionals involved in palliative care across various disciplines

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
The prevalence (%) of oral mucositis among patients receiving palliative care
Time Frame: At baseline (single cross-sectional assessment)
At baseline (single cross-sectional assessment)
The percentage (%) of German Society for Palliative Medicine members reporting insufficient knowledge regarding dental care in palliative settings.
Time Frame: At baseline (single cross-sectional assessment)
At baseline (single cross-sectional assessment)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University Medical Center Goettingen

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

February 24, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

June 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

June 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

December 17, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 30, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

January 7, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

February 27, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 24, 2026

Last Verified

February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 24/12/25

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

Clinical Trials on Palliative Care

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Djibouti

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Subscribe