Correlation between dermatoglyphic pattern and dental caries among dental students in a dental college in Mangalore

Abstract

Introduction: Dental caries is a multifactorial disease caused by a microbial infestation of the teeth. It has been found that some individuals have a genetic predilection for being affected by caries. The fingerprint patterns found in humans are unique and form during the 3rd week of gestation from the same site from which the development of teeth occurs. Thus, it can be theorized that if a person has a genetic predilection for caries, then it would be reflected in the fingerprint pattern too. Aims: To find a correlation between the incidence of caries and the fingerprint patterns and to find which classification has the highest incidence of caries. Methodology and Materials Used: A cross-sectional study was performed on 440 students aged between 18 and 26 years. Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth (DMFT) method was performed for collecting the data regarding caries incidence, while the stamp pad method was used for getting the fingerprints. They were then classified, and statistical analysis was done with their respective DMFT scores. Results: Among all the patterns, the loop pattern was found among 312 students (70.1%) followed by whorl (92, 20.9%) and arc pattern (36, 8.2%) Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that there is a definite correlation between the number of loops pattern and the presence of dental caries. Hence, dermatoglyphics can be used as a screening method to provide adequate preventive treatment to individuals showing a higher caries risk as detected by the hand ridge patterns.

Keywords

• dental caries
• dermatoglyphics
• decayed
• missing
• filled teeth
• fingerprint