Dermatoglyphics: An Indicator of Dental Caries in Humans

Background: We all know that fingerprints are found in human and some animals and they are unique to allindividuals and remain unchanged over the life time. Today the study of the fingerprints has crossed its traditionalrealms and is being widely used as an adjunct in medical and dental fields to diagnose conditions with a suspectedgenetic base.Aim & Objective: 1. To record and evaluate the Dermatoglyphics pattern in subjects attending OPD of BuddhaInstitute of Dental Sciences & Hospital, Patna, Bihar. 2. To identify and compare the type of Dermatoglyphicspattern associated with dental caries. 3. To find association (if any) between different Dermatoglyphics patternsand Dental caries.Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in OPD of Buddha Institute of Dental Sciences& Hospital, Patna among simple random sample of 76 OPD Patient in the age group of 18-40 years after satisfyingthe inclusion & exclusion criteria. The data was collected using a proforma consisting of demographic details,oral hygiene practices, Sugar consumption, fingerprints format and WHO ORAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT FORM(2013) was used to assess the Dentition status of the individual. Dermatoglyphic (Fingerprints) of the study subjectwere recorded using the Ink Method described by Cummin and Midlo & dermatoglyphic patterns were analyzedwith the help of a magnifying glass (10×) under guidance of fingerprint expert. Data were collected, compiled& tabulated using Microsoft excel & analyzed by Chi-square test & independent sample T test with p < 0.05 asstatistically significant.Result: Prevalence of dental caries was highest among subjects with whorl pattern (3.59±2.18) followed by Looppattern (2.73±1.56) whereas the subjects with Arch pattern shows lowest prevalence of dental caries (1.39±1.28) &this result came out to be statistically significant (P < 0.05).Conclusion: From this study it is clear that Dental caries susceptibility of an individual increases in the subjecthaving Whorl pattern & thus there is a definite correlation between fingerprint patterns and dental caries.