IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 18, Issue 8 Ser. 5 (August. 2019), PP 24-28 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0853-1808052428 www.iosrjournals.org 24 | Page Dermatoglyphics and Periodontics: An Assessment of Fingerprints with Periodontal Disease in School Children DR. ANUJ V. MANSATA 1 , DR. JYOTI CHAWDA 2 , DR. TAPAN G. MODI 3 , DR. TUSHAR R. MAKWANA 4 , JAINA K. PATEL 5 , HARDIK G. PARMAR 6 , JAHNAVI R. ACHARYA 5 , SMIT V. SINOJIA 5 1. M.D.S. (Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology and Forensic Odontology), Dental Surgeon Class-II, Community Health Centre, Kolavada, Mehsana, Gujarat, India 2. Professor & Head, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology and Forensic Odontology, Government Dental College & Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India 3. Associate Professor, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology and Forensic Odontology, College of Dental Science and Research Centre, Bopal, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India 4. Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Karnavati School of Dentistry, Uvarsad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India 5. Intern, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology and Forensic Odontology, Karnavati School of Dentistry, Uvarsad, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India 6. Intern, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology and Forensic Odontology, Ahmedabad Dental College and Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India Abstract: Aim: The aim of this study is to compare and correlate the stages of periodontal diseases and the patterns of finger tips. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 students aged 13-16 years with all permanent teeth erupted were examined for periodontal disease stages like bleeding on probing, presence of calculus based on Community Periodontal Index (CPI). The fingerprints of all fingers and two thumbs of both right and left hand of each student were recorded and studied using the magnifying glass. The data collected was analysed statistically. Results: An increased frequency of loops was seen in students with healthy gums whereas increased frequency of whorls was found in students with presence of calculus. Conclusion: A possible relation between dermatoglyphics and periodontal disease stages exists as seen in different studies and further research with larger sample size will yield a conclusive result to correlate fingerprint patterns with periodontal disease. Keywords: Dermatoglyphics, Fingerprints, Periodontal diseases. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 26-07-2019 Date of Acceptance: 12-08-2019 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction With multifactorial aetiology and stages or symptoms ranging from mild gingivitis to destructive stage involving bone loss and loss of teeth, periodontal disease is a unique dental disease. 1 Dermatoglyphics means study of palmar and plantar dermal ridges. This term, given by Harold Cummins and his associate Midlo in 1926, is derived from the Greek word “Derma” meaning skin and “glyphic” meaning curve. Human fingerprints are detailed, nearly unique, difficult to alter, and durable over the life of an individual, making them suitable as long-term markers of human identity. 2 During the 6th and 7th weeks of intrauterine life, quickly following the loss of webbed appearance of hand, the foetal pads are seen. Foetal pads are from mesenchymal tissue origin, situated on tip of the finger, also on the distal palm between the fingers and hypothenar territory of the palm. In the twelfth week of intrauterine life, the core patterns are seen on skin surface. At about 19 th week of intrauterine life, the final fingerprint patterns are established. 3 Unique fingerprint patterns can be considered as hereditary marker for dental diseases as both the enamel of tooth and epithelium of finger buds are derived from ectoderm and, both are created simultaneously in intrauterine life. 4 There are 3 basic types of ridge patterns found in the distal phalanges of the digits – whorl, loop, and arches (Fig. 1).