Abstract
Background: The ratio between 2nd and 4th digit length is termed as hormonal fingerprintand is used as an indirect marker in many medical diseases.Dental studies pertaining to theimportance of hormonal fingerprint on oral health are very sparse.
 Aim and objectives: Tostudy the correlation of dental caries and malocclusion with hormonal fingerprints.
 Materialsand Methods: A total of 100 children of age group 7-15 years and both genders were randomlyselected and included in the present study. The hormonal fingerprint (2D:4D ratio) wasdone bymeasuring the length ratio of the index and ring finger with the help of digital vernier caliper.Caries assessment wascarried out using standard mouth mirrors and Community PeriodontalIndex probes. WHO assessment form (1997) was followed for assessment of dentitionstatus and treatment need.Occlusal characteristics evaluated were molar relation, anteriorand posterior crossbite, open bite, deep bite and lower anterior crowding. The subjects weredivided into high 2D:4D, equal 2D:4D digit ratio and low 2D:4D. All the measurements weredone by two investigators. The data collected were tabulated and statistically analyzed usingChi-square and ANOVA test.
 Results: Out of 100 children, 34% were males and 66% werefemales. Most of the participants were 7-8 years old (12 males and 15 females). Majority of theparticipants (87% for the right hand and 80% for left hand) had low 2D:4D ratio, only 6% forright and 11% for the left hand had high 2D:4D ratio and the remaining had equal 2D:4D ratio.Statistically insignificantcorrelation between 2D:4D ratio and deft/DMFT score and occlusalstatus of an individualwere found.
 Conclusion:The insignificant results of 2D:4D ratio with allthe parameters assessed validates that hormonal fingerprints could not be employed as an earlypredictor of caries and malocclusion in an individual.
 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.20(1) 2021 p.154-158
Highlights
Regardless ofenormous achievements in the oral health of populations globally, still there are several issues remaining in many communities all over the world, among underprivileged groups in developed and developing countries
One of these major oral health issues is dental caries, affecting 60-90% of schoolchildren and the vast majority of adults.1Acommon complication of malocclusion is dental caries as it is difficult for patients to maintain good oral hygiene that results in the increases of plaque accumulation on the teeth surfaces and is more susceptible to caries development.2Malocclusion may not be life-threatening, but their high prevalence puts them in focus of public healthcare as it compromises the oral health and can lead to psychological and social problems.[3]
The other proposed mechanism is that finger ratio is a function of androgen sensitivity rather than androgen concentration, that is, the two digit ratio affected by exposure to androgens e.g., testosterone while in the uterus, and that this 2D:4D ratio can be considered a crude measure for prenatal androgen exposure, with lower 2D:4D ratios pointing to higher prenatal androgen exposure
Summary
Regardless ofenormous achievements in the oral health of populations globally, still there are several issues remaining in many communities all over the world, among underprivileged groups in developed and developing countries. The other proposed mechanism is that finger ratio is a function of androgen sensitivity rather than androgen concentration, that is, the two digit ratio affected by exposure to androgens e.g., testosterone while in the uterus, and that this 2D:4D ratio can be considered a crude measure for prenatal androgen exposure, with lower 2D:4D ratios pointing to higher prenatal androgen exposure These dissimilarities in the digit ratios are established by the 13th or 14th week of intrauterine life (second trimester) and exhibit substantial constancy over the lifetime.[4] This ratiotends to vary among different ethnic groups, and surprisingly,this variation is far larger than differences between the sexes as shown in the study conducted by Manning et al.where in addition to the significant sexual dimorphism in 2D:4D, the mean ratios varied between the English, Scottish, Uygur, Han and Jamaican children.[5] Objectives this paper was undertakento study the correlation between 2D:4D ratio and dental caries and malocclusion prevalence inNorthern Province of Saudi Arabia, to identify caries and malocclusion prone individuals, so as to facilitate the prevention of these problems. Physical examination and finger ratio measurement The accompanying Parents/Guardianof the participantsduly signed individual informed consentformconsisting details about the aim of the study and the research procedures
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