National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Practice Exam

In which numbering system does the first digit indicate the quadrant and the second number indicate the tooth?

1. Federation Dentaire International Numbering System (FDI)

2. Universal Numbering System

3. Palmer Notation System

4. International Classification of Diseases

The correct answer is: Federation Dentaire International Numbering System (FDI)

The Federation Dentaire International Numbering System (FDI) is indeed characterized by a two-digit numbering format, where the first digit indicates the quadrant of the dental arch and the second digit specifies the tooth within that quadrant. In this system, the quadrants are numbered as follows: for the permanent teeth, the first digit is '1' for quadrant one (upper right), '2' for quadrant two (upper left), '3' for quadrant three (lower left), and '4' for quadrant four (lower right). The second digit ranges from '1' to '8', representing the position of each tooth within that quadrant, from the central incisor to the third molar. For instance, the notation "11" would refer to the upper right central incisor, whereas "32" would refer to the lower left canine. This systematic approach allows for a clear and concise understanding of tooth identification, especially in a diverse professional environment or in different countries. In contrast, the Universal Numbering System assigns a unique number to each tooth regardless of the quadrant, and the Palmer Notation System utilizes specific symbols to indicate the quadrants in conjunction with numbers for identifying teeth. The International Classification of Diseases is unrelated to dental notation specifically as it