Original Article
Year : 2018 | Volume : 3 | Issue : 1 | Page : 18-22
Dermatoglyphics: A New Diagnostic Tool in Detection of Dental Caries in Children with Special Health‐care Needs
K. Veera Kishore Kumar Reddy, K. Naveen Kumar, Venket Subramaniyan, Harshini Togaru, Srinivasan Kannaiah, Rohini Reddy
Department of Pedodontics, CKS Teja Institute of Dental Sciences, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India
Abstract
Introduction:
Dermatoglyphics is the scientific study of dermal ridge configurations on palmar and plantar surfaces of the hands and feet. Dermal ridges and primary palate, both are formed during 6th–7th week of intrauterine life; therefore, hereditary and environmental factors causing changes in fingerprint patterns may also lead to dental anomalies.
Objective:
The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the correlation between dermatoglyphic peculiarities and caries experience in special children.
Materials and Methods:
A total of 300 childrenaged 6–16 years were selected using simple random sampling technique. Their fingerprints were recorded with duplicating ink and caries experience was assessed using International Caries Detection and Assessment System criteria.
Results:
Chi‐square test revealed a significant statistical association between the whorl and loop patterns in caries and caries-free groups. The frequency of whorls was found to be more in caries group and frequency of loops more in caries-free group.
Conclusion:
Dermatoglyphics could be an effective method as an early and noninvasive and early predictor of dental caries in special children so as to initiate the preventive oral health measures at an early age.
Keywords: Dental caries, dermatoglyphics, special children
Financial support and sponsorship
Nil.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
How to cite this article: Reddy KV, Kumar KN, Subramaniyan V, Togaru H, Kannaiah S, Reddy R. Dermatoglyphics:Anew diagnostic tool in detection of dental caries in children with special health-care needs. Int J Pedod Rehabil 2018;3:18-22.
