Midwives' Perspectives on Oral Health in Pregnancy and Early Childhood: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey

April 30, 2026 updated by: Jana Biermann, University Medical Center Goettingen

Perceived Role and Perspectives of Midwives in Oral Health of Pregnant Women and Young Children: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey

This study aims to explore how midwives in Germany perceive their professional role in the context of oral health of pregnant women and young children.

A nationwide, anonymous, non-interventional online survey will be conducted to assess self-perceived role, confidence in counseling, perceived barriers, information sources, and training needs.

The study is designed as an exploratory cross-sectional survey without hypothesis testing.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Detailed Description

Midwives play an important role in early health promotion, including during pregnancy and early childhood. Oral health is a relevant but often underrepresented topic in this context.

This study aims to explore midwives' perspectives on their role in oral health promotion, including their perceived responsibilities, confidence in counseling, and structural conditions in their professional practice.

Data will be collected using an anonymous online questionnaire distributed via professional organizations and networks.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

200

Contacts and Locations

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

Study Contact

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

N/A

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study population consists of practicing midwives in Germany, including both employed and self-employed professionals working in various care settings. Participants are involved in antenatal, perinatal, and postnatal care and regularly interact with pregnant women, parents, and young children. Recruitment is carried out via professional midwifery organizations and networks.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Practicing midwives in Germany
  • Age ≥ 18 years
  • Consent to participate in the online survey

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Age < 18 years
  • Not currently working as a midwife
  • Students without completed professional qualification
  • No informed consent provided

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

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Self-perceived professional role in oral health assessed by a self-developed questionnaire using Likert-scale items (1-5)
Time Frame: Day 1
Self-perceived professional role will be assessed using multiple items developed for this study, rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Higher scores indicate a stronger perceived role in oral health.
Day 1

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Self-reported confidence in oral health-related topics assessed by Likert-scale items (1-5)
Time Frame: Day 1
Confidence in oral health-related topics will be assessed using self-developed items rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = very unsure to 5 = very confident). Higher scores indicate greater perceived confidence.
Day 1
Use of information sources related to oral health (self-reported questionnaire)
Time Frame: Day 1
Participants report their use of different information sources (e.g., training, literature, internet, professional exchange) using categorical response options. Frequencies of use will be analyzed descriptively.
Day 1
Perceived barriers to addressing oral health in practice assessed by Likert-scale items (1-5)
Time Frame: Day 1
Perceived barriers will be assessed using self-developed Likert-scale items (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Higher scores indicate greater perceived barriers.
Day 1
Training needs and interests in oral health (self-reported questionnaire)
Time Frame: Day 1
Training needs and interests will be assessed using categorical and Likert-scale items. Responses reflect interest in further education and preferred topics.
Day 1

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 (Estimated)

May 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

August 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

April 23, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 30, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

May 7, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 7, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 30, 2026

Last Verified

April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 39/3/26

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 Early Childhood Caries (ECC)

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Kosovo

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Subscribe