title: Tooth Numbering System in Saudi Arabia: Survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There were four aims of the current study: (1) to find the most commonly used Tooth Numbering System (TNS) in Saudi Arabia in both academic and non-academic institutions, (2) to identify the most commonly taught TNS in dental colleges, (3) to understand the reasons why dental practitioners prefer to use a specific TNS, and (4) the consequences of using more than one TNS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between May 2014 and May 2015, a self-administered questionnaire containing 21 questions was randomly distributed to 121 individuals (20 deans of dental colleges and 101 heads of governmental dental centers).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most commonly used TNS is the Fédération Dentaire Internationale (FDI) TNS for both primary and permanent dentitions in both academic and non-academic institutions, followed by the Palmer TNS and then the Universal TNS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The FDI TNS proved to be the most taught TNS in dental colleges in Saudi Arabia. It is advised that the FDI TNS be implemented as a unified system in Saudi Arabia due to the advantages of this particular TNS and the benefits of using one single TNS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, King Saud University, P.O. Box 60169, Riyadh 11545, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Sulieman S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Al-Johany
keywords: Academic; FDI; Palmer; Saudi Arabia; Tooth Numbering System; Universal