Twin-city Study correlating the Dermatoglyphic Patterns with Rampant Caries and Early Childhood Caries

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction Dermatoglyphics is the scientific and analytical study of fingerprints. Every individual's fingerprints are distinctive; one can determine one's ingrained potential, individuality, and choices by interpreting dermatoglyphics. This twin-city survey was undertaken to evaluate the fingerprint patterns of children with dental caries [study groups – rampant caries vs early childhood caries (ECC)] and caries-free individual (control group). Aim This study was carried out to determine the correlation between dermatoglyphic pattern and caries prevalence in young children in the twin cities of Pune and Mumbai. Materials and methods Two centers were selected in Pune and Mumbai. A total of 300 patients (150 patients in each center) were randomly selected from the age group ranging between 3 and 5 years. The samples were divided into two groups: Group I: Caries group, and group II: Caries-free group. Group I was further divided into children with ECC and children with rampant caries. Clinical examination of dental caries was done using mouth mirror and probe (only to remove debris and not probe into the fissures) in daylight or suitable light source. Fingerprints were obtained by the conventional ink method. Statistical results were obtained by one-way analysis of variance with post hoc Tukey's correction for multiple group comparisons using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20. Results The evaluation and comparison of patterns in children with caries and caries-free children in both right and left hands showed increase in the number of whorls in children with rampant caries as compared with children with ECC. However, this was not statistically significant. Conclusion The study showed a definite variation in dermatoglyphics between the ECC, rampant caries, and caries-free group. However, the rampant caries group showed more number of whorls as compared with the ECC group, but they were statistically insignificant. Dermatoglyphics has proven to be a useful, noninvasive, and cost-efficient tool for investigating diseases with a genetic background like dental caries and cleft lip and palate, etc. How to cite this article Chunawala Y, Morawala A, Ambiye A, Jain K. Twin-city Study correlating the Dermatoglyphic Patterns with Rampant Caries and Early Childhood Caries. Int J Clin Dent Res 2017;1(1):1-4.