Aim: To determine if an association exists between dermatoglyphic patterns and occurrence of dental caries among 12 year old school children in Mangalore. Settings and Design: A cross sectional study conducted in school settings. Methods and Material: A total of 183, 12-year old school children were selected using simple random sampling. Dental caries experience was assessed using the Decayed, Missing and Filled Tooth index. Dermatoglyphic patterns of the fingers and the total ridge count were recorded using the ink stamp pad method and analysed using a 2x magnifying glass. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi-square test and one way ANOVA were used for statistical analysis of collected data. Results: The mean DMFT score of this population was 2.83 ± 2.53 whereas mean dmft score was 0.84 ± 1.64. Chi-square analysis showed a statistically significant frequency of whorls in the 2nd finger in children with a dental caries experience of more than 3 (p<0.05). The total ridge count also showed a statistically significant relation with dental caries experience, when the one way ANOVA test was used (p<0.05). In children with higher dental caries experience, the total ridge count was less and vice versa. Conclusions: Dermatoglyphic patterns and total ridge count could be a novel method to determine the population at risk for dental caries, thus providing a vital component in the search for an acceptable, accurate and cost-effective predictor for identifying high risk individuals.

Keywords: Caries risk assessment; Dermatoglyphics; Dental caries; School children.