title: The Mystery of Handprints: Assesment and Correlation of Dermatoglyphics with Early Childhood Caries A Case-Control Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been acknowledged that genetics play a significant role in determination of dermatoglyphic patterns. Since caries is a multifactorial disease with the influence of genetic pattern, this study was undertaken to assess dermatoglyphic patterns and correlate them with early childhood caries.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to determine the association and correlation of dermatoglyphic patterns with early childhood caries.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study sample consisted of 100 children aged between 3 and 6 years, divided into two groups of 50 children each. The deft score was evaluated to select the experimental group and control group. Finger and palm prints were recorded using the ink method described by Cummins and Midlo. The handprints obtained were checked for their clarity with a magnifying glass (×2) and coded. The presence of core and the triradii of the dermatoglyphic pattern were checked thoroughly to include the handprint in the study. A total of 1000 digital prints and 200 palmar prints were obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The presence of whorls in the index finger of the right hand predicts significantly lower risk of caries in children (male and female; combined). Presence of whorls in the ring finger of the right hand predicts significantly lower risk of caries in female children. Statistically no correlation between atd angle and early childhood caries was obtained from the present data.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results obtained from the present study creates a notion on the validity of the results of the previous studies and point them to be chance findings. Due to increasing acceptability of dermatoglyphics as a diagnostic tool for congenital diseases, further large scale extensive research should be undertaken to evaluate the role of the same in children with Early Childhood Caries (ECC).
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Saraswati Dental College and Hospital , Lucknow, U.P., India .
authors.forename: Saumya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Navit
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate Student, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Saraswati Dental College and Hospital , Lucknow, U.P., India .
authors.forename: Dheera
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chadha
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Saraswati Dental College and Hospital , Lucknow, U.P., India .
authors.forename: Suleman Abbas
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate Student, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Saraswati Dental College and Hospital , Lucknow, U.P, India .
authors.forename: Rahul Kumar
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate Student, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Saraswati Dental College and Hospital , Lucknow, U.P., India .
authors.forename: Nikita
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Johri
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Orthodontics, Chandra Dental College , Lucknow, India .
authors.forename: Pragati
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Navit
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Saraswati Dental College and Hospital , Lucknow, U.P., India .
authors.forename: Anshul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Rungta College of Dental Sciences and Research , Bhilai, Chhattisgarh, India .
authors.forename: Rachana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bahuguna
keywords: Dental caries; Environmental factors; Finger prints; Loops; Whorls