FDI Two-Digit Notation (ISO 3950)
Definition
The international tooth numbering system mandated for INTERPOL DVI forms. Each tooth has a two-digit code: first digit is the quadrant (1-4 permanent, 5-8 primary), second digit is the tooth position within the quadrant from the midline outward (1-8).
- Standard
- ISO 3950
- Required for
- INTERPOL DVI forms
- First digit
- Quadrant, 1-4 permanent / 5-8 primary
- Second digit
- Tooth position from midline, 1-8
Common questions
Why does INTERPOL mandate FDI/ISO 3950 specifically rather than letting each country use its national system?+
Disaster victim identification often involves teams from multiple countries comparing antemortem and postmortem dental charts under time pressure. A single unambiguous, language-independent numbering standard prevents charting errors from teams trained on Universal or Palmer notation from causing missed or false matches.
How does a mixed-dentition case get recorded under this system if a child has both permanent and primary teeth present?+
Each tooth is coded according to which dentition it belongs to individually, so a chart can show a mix of 1-4 quadrant codes for erupted permanent teeth and 5-8 codes for remaining primary teeth in the same mouth, reflecting the actual mixed-dentition state.
Related terms
- Candidate Match
- An AM/PM pairing proposed by the database software or by manual review as possibly representing the same individual, based on concordant dental...
- INTERPOL DVI Guide
- The international reference document that codifies the procedures, forms, and standards for DVI operations. Currently in its second version (Version 2, 2018)....
- Pink Form (AM Dental)
- The INTERPOL DVI ante-mortem dental form, colour-coded pink to prevent confusion with PM data. Completed by the AM team from family interview,...
- Plass Data / DVI System International
- A Norwegian software company (Plass Data Software AS) and their DVI management product, the most widely deployed dedicated DVI database platform globally,...
- Yellow Form (PM Dental)
- The INTERPOL DVI post-mortem dental form, colour-coded yellow. Completed by the forensic odontologist at the mortuary from direct examination of the remains....