Purpose: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) is a national surveillance system that has been assessing the health and health behavior. The purpose of the KNHANES is to provide an overview of oral examinations and to provide academic basic data so that reliable and valid national oral examinations can be conducted by explaining oral examination guidelines and methods to improve the examination system.

Methods: The oral examination outline of the KNHANES recorded the sample design and examination method. The oral examination outline of the KNHANES recorded the participation rate, survey environment and survey items. 15 problems with the oral examination guidelines were presented. To improve the oral examination survey system, 9 problems were suggested.

Results: In 2019, the participation rate for oral examinations was 63.1%, showing a continuous decline. Quality control for the training of examiners was greatly strengthened, and 3 stages of data quality control were implemented to calculate statistics of oral health. Oral examination guidelines are carried out in accordance with the WHO guidelines, but the latest dental treatment methods such as implants or preventive treatment should be supplemented by identifying recent dental trends. Oral examination was limited to dental caries and periodontal disease, so oral soft tissue examination and occlusal examination should be added. It was proposed to secure abundant data by introducing an advanced examination by life cycle. A dental hygienist or oral epidemiological investigator examination was hired to suggest a replacement plan for the examiner.

Conclusion: To develop the national health survey, active research by dental researchers must precede and be used as basic data for national policy establishment. In addition, continuous attention should be paid to the national oral health policy, and opinions should be actively expressed so that the survey items related to oral health can be expanded.