Correlation between dermatoglyphics and dental caries in children: A case-control study

Background: Dental caries is a microbiological disease affecting teeth which has both genetic as well as environmental factors. Dermatoglyphics is the study of fingerprint patterns and is also genetically determined. This study is aimed to determine a correlation between dermatoglyphic patterns and caries susceptibility among children. Methods: A total of 250 children (125 each of case and control groups) were selected. Dental caries status was evaluated using the DMFT index while dermatoglyphic study was performed by recording impressions using stamp pad-ink method. Results: Higher frequency of all dermatoglyphic patterns was observed among female subjects with caries as compared to caries-free subjects as well as compared to male subjects. Conclusion: Dermatoglyphics can be employed as a positive indicator of caries susceptibility among children and holds importance in the area as future caries predictor.