Comprehensive Oral Diagnostic Assessment (CODA): a six-dimension integrated framework for general dental practice.

OBJECTIVE

To propose and describe Comprehensive Oral Diagnostic Assessment (CODA), a structured framework integrating six dimensions of oral health into a single diagnostic synthesis, and to demonstrate its articulation with treatment planning.

DATA AND SOURCES: Narrative review of international reference classifications and landmark literature (PubMed, 2000-2026), supplemented by original clinical data from the ReCoL French practice-based research network.

STUDY SELECTION: International consensus classifications, systematic reviews, and practice-based original studies for each of the six dimensions.

CONCLUSIONS

The Comprehensive Oral Diagnostic Assessment (CODA) organizes six oral health dimensions (patient context, dental tissues, periodontium, osteomucosal status, occlusal function, and smile esthetics) within a three-register framework encompassing risk factors, active conditions, and the established situation. Its systematic use may constitute a lever for quality improvement in general dental practice.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: CODA aims to provide the general dental practitioner with a structured, reproducible, and communicable diagnostic approach whose systematic implementation may support both individual patient care and practice-level quality improvement.