rdcjournalRoyal Dental College JournalE-Volume 8 Issue 1MultidisciplinaryEnglishJanuary- DecemberNNY20251110Forensic Odontology Correlation of Dermatoglyphic Patterns with the Prevalence of Dental Caries in School ChildrenEnglishY14Dr Ajish MSaji1EnglishNDr ArunMohan2EnglishYDr RaihanHariz3EnglishYDr RamnaTR3EnglishYDr AparnaVinod3EnglishYDrAiswarya3EnglishYBackground: Dermatoglyphics refers to the study of epidermal ridge patterns on fingers, palms, and soles. As fingerprint patterns and dental enamel share a common ectodermal origin and develop during a similar period of intrauterine life, dermatoglyphics has been proposed as a potential genetic marker for dental caries susceptibility. Aim: To evaluate the predominant fingerprint pattern among school children and to assess its association with gender and dental caries experience. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 school children (100 males and 100 females) aged 13–15 years. Right thumb impressions were obtained using the ink method and classified into loop, whorl, and arch patterns according to standard dermatoglyphic criteria. Dental caries experience was recorded using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test to determine associations between fingerprint patterns, gender, and dental caries. Results: The loop pattern was the most predominant fingerprint pattern in both males and females. No statistically significant association was found between fingerprint patterns and gender or between fingerprint patterns and dental caries experience (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The loop pattern was the most common dermatoglyphic pattern among the study population. Dermatoglyphic patterns showed no significant association with gender or dental caries prevalence. Dermatoglyphics alone may not be a reliable predictor of dental caries in school children.EnglishDermatoglyphics, Dental caries, Finger prints, DMFT index, School childrenhttps://rdcjournal.org/abstract?id=268References16191. Cummins H, Midlo C: Palmar and plantar epidermal ridge configuration (dermatoglyphics) in Europeans and Americans. American J Biological Anthropology. 1926;9:471-502. 2.Krishan Vij: Textbook of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology Principles and;amp; Practice 6e. Krishan Vij (ed): Elsevier India Pvt. Limited, India; 2014. 3.Kanchan T, Chattopadhyay S: Distribution of fingerprint patterns among medical students. J Indian Acad Forensic Med. 2006;28:65-8. 4.Cogulu D, Saglam C. Genetics aspects of dental caries. Frontiers of Dental Medicine 2022;3:1-5. doi.org/10.3389/fdmed.2022.1060177. 5.Kucken M, Newell AC: Fingerprint formation. J Theor Biol. 2005;235:71-83. 6.Monpara PC, Odedra SP, Shah KH, Dodia VS, Pillai JP, Yadav S. The relationship between arch, loop and whorl fingerprint patterns with dental caries: A cross-sectional, descriptive institution-based study. Journal of Oral Medicine, Oral Surgery, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology. 2022;8(2):69-75. doi.org/10.18231/j.jooo.2022.014. 7.Bhat GM, Mukhdoomi MA, Shah BA, Ittoo MS. Dermatoglyphics: in health and disease - a review. International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences. Int J Res Med Sci. 2014 Feb;2(1):31-37. 8. Hamilton WJ, Boyd DJ, Mossman HW: Hamilton, Boyd and;amp; Mossmanand;#39;s Human Embryology Prenatal Development of Form and Function. Fourth Edition. Hamilton WJ, Mossman HW (ed): The Williams and;amp; Wilkins Co., Baltimore, USA; 1972. 9.Liu C, Lin J, Ostrburg J, Nicol J. Finger printcomparison II: Similarity of fingerprints. J Forensic Sci. 1982;27(2):290-304. 10.Chopra M. The study of finger print patterns among male and female. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology 2020;14(4):408-413. 11. Ranjan SK, Kumari P, Singh NK, Kumar A, Kumar Sanjeev. Relation of primary fingerprint patterns with gender and blood groups: A dermatoglyphic study from a tertiary care Institute in Bihar. European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine. 2025;15(3):293-299. 12. Ahmed SA, Hanan ES, Marwa MF. Forensic dissection of lip print as an investigative tool in a mixed Egyptian population. Alexandria Journal of Medicine. 2018;54:235-239. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajme.2017.08.002. 13. Patil A, Malik A, Shirole T. Fingerprint patterns in relation to gender and blood groups - A study in Navi Mumbai. Indian Journal of Forensic and Community Medicine 2017;4(3):204-208. 14. Eboh DEO. Fingerprint patterns in relation to gender and blood group among students of Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria. Journal of Experimental and Clinical Anatomy 2013;12 (2):81-86. 15. Odokuma EI, Igbigbi PS, Emundianughe TS. A study of thumb print patterns and ABO Blood group distribution. J Exp Clin Anat 2008; 7(1): 22-26. 16. Chinmaya B, Smitha B, Tandon S, Khurana C. Dermatoglyphics: An indicator of dental caries in humans. J Indian Assc Public Health Dent. 2016;14(3):272-5.