National Oral Health Surveillance System (NOHSS) is one of the achievements made by the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors and CDC’s Division of Oral Health to track, analyze, and discuss oral diseases and various health surveillance indicators (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). One of the strengths that can be observed in the system is the possibility to find information about any kind of oral disease and consider adult, child, and water fluoridation indicators. Another strong aspect of this framework is the possibility to engage people of different age in discussions about the importance of oral hygiene and the possibilities to improve oral health avoiding the mistakes that can worsen a human condition (The Community Guide, 2013).
The main limitations of the system are connected with its accessibility to the citizens of the United States only. There are no chances for other countries to study on the example offered by this system. Besides, there is a complication to finding the required information in a short period of time. If an ordinary person wants to use it, certain information and guidelines are necessary to take the right step and comprehend the worth of information provided in NOHSS. Finally, it is necessary to mention a limited number of indicators that can be found in the system under analysis. There are adult indicators that cover the problems of people under 65, who have lost more than six teeth, child indicators that cover the problem of children before 18, who experience caries, and water fluoridation indicators that cover only the group of people, who use public water systems. On the one hand, the indicators show what the system work in accordance with a certain framework and the required portion of a control is used. On the other hand, the indicators promote the division of people in regards to their health issues. It seems to be wrong to create a system based on the differences people are not always ready to control or make choices independently.
Still, the limitations should not deprive the system of its value that is about the possibility to investigate and monitor mouth and throat diseases that may be developed and lead to cancer problems, heart diseases, and other illnesses a number of Americans may suffer from (The Community Guide, 2013). Besides, NOHSS provides American with a possibility to learn what they can do to improve their oral health and avoid health complications. Many people do not want to believe that oral diseases may have an impact on the whole human organism. Still, the statistics offered within NOHSS proves that oral health problems may end dramatically.
Some many ideas and modifications can be offered to improve the current system. One of them is the attempt to share the American experience with people from other countries. The effectiveness of NOHSS should attract the attention of the experts from the citizens of South America or some European countries. In return, people can share their experiences to track and treat oral diseases.
In general, the evaluation of the National Oral Health Surveillance System shows that much work has been already done. Still, many ideas can be offered and used. NOHSS is a chance to help people solve their oral problem. People should not neglect it and take as much information as possible from the system available to them.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). National oral health surveillance system (NOHSS). Web.
The Community Guide. (2013). Improving Oral Health. Web.