How COHA Turns Your Dental Visit into a Whole-Body Health Check

When most people think about dental visits, they imagine clean teeth, cavity checks, and perhaps a little polishing.

But modern dentistry has moved far beyond this. Today, your mouth is seen as a mirror of your overall health, a concept known as the oral–systemic connection.

The Mouth as a Window to the Body

Scientific research shows that oral conditions such as gum disease, tooth decay, and even bite imbalances are not just local problems, they can signal or even worsen systemic diseases.

For example:

•⁠ ⁠Diabetes: Poorly controlled diabetes raises the risk of gum disease, delayed healing, and oral infections.

•⁠ ⁠Cardiovascular disease: Inflammation in the gums can contribute to atherosclerosis, increasing risks of heart attacks and strokes.

•⁠ ⁠Respiratory health: Inadequate oral hygiene can increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia in elderly patients.

•⁠ ⁠Nutrition & inflammation: Diets high in sugar not only fuel cavities but also contribute to obesity and diabetes.

•⁠ ⁠Cancer & immunity: Tobacco, alcohol, and HPV-related oral cancers often link directly with immune function.

The Role of COHA: Dentistry’s First Oral–Systemic Scoring System

Recognising this, Trust Dentistry has introduced the Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment (COHA), a first-of-its-kind diagnostic system developed by our clinical advisor, Dr Mark Bowes, that bridges dentistry and systemic wellness.

COHA works by scoring your oral and systemic health across 16 categories: from gum health and tooth wear to nutrition, nitric oxide balance, and lifestyle factors like smoking and stress.

Each category is rated on a simple 0–3 (or up to 5) scale, producing a total score that places patients into wellness risk levels from optimal to high risk. This scientifically researched scoring system provides a clear picture of your oral and systemic health and guides us toward the most appropriate treatment or preventive strategy.

What Makes COHA Unique

•⁠ ⁠Detects risks early: Catching patterns before they evolve into complex disease.

•⁠ ⁠Guides treatment: Each score is linked with evidence-based clinical action, whether that means preventive care, medical referral, or lifestyle changes.

•⁠ ⁠Empowers patients: The visual scoring report helps you understand how your oral health affects your whole body, motivating real, lasting change.

Why It Matters for You

When you undergo a COHA assessment, you’re not just protecting your smile but investing in your long-term health.

The system highlights connections that might otherwise be missed, helping us collaborate with physicians, nutritionists, and other healthcare professionals to provide truly integrated care. It helps determine the most appropriate clinical treatment for each patient based on their scoring profile.

By making oral health a gateway to whole-body wellness, COHA puts you at the centre of a proactive, preventive healthcare model.

Dentistry is no longer only about teeth. With the COHA system, your dental visit becomes a comprehensive health check, protecting your mouth, your body, and your future.

Making Preventive Care Accessible

We’ve made sure that taking charge of your oral and overall health stays within reach. The COHA is offered at medical aid rates, making it an affordable way to understand your whole-body wellness. If you have medical aid savings, now’s the perfect time to book your assessment before the end of the year and make full use of your 2025 benefits.

And if you’re a Discovery Vitality member, there’s an extra reason to smile: adults 18 years and older can earn up to 1,000 Vitality points for completing a dental health check once a year.

So, whether you’re motivated by wellness goals, rewards, or peace of mind, the COHA is a smart, proactive step toward a healthier you, inside and out.

Book your first COHA appointment today by contacting our receptionist, Taryn, at 📞 082 455 5248 or emailing 📧 reception@trustdentistry.co.za.