East J Med 26(4): 550-554, 2021 DOI: 10.5505/ejm.2021.21549 * Corresponding Author: Okoro Ogheneyebrorue Godswill, Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Biology, Delta State University, PMB 1, Abraka Email: thomasgodswill23@gmail.com, Phone Number: +2347033314640 ORCID ID: Ese Anibor: 0000-0003-1066-8402, Mabiaku Osaretin Yvonne: 0000-0001-5380-4633, Okoro Ogheneyebrorue Godswill: 0000-0001-5263-2470, Ejiroghene Frank Avwerosuo: 0000-0003-2931-804X Received: 01.08.2020, Accepted: 15.08.2021 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Prevalence of Facial Dimples among the Ndokwa People in Delta State, Nigeria Ese Anibor 1 , Mabiaku Osaretin Yvonne 2 , Okoro Ogheneyebrorue Godswill 1* , Ejiroghene Frank Avwerosuo 1 1 Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Biology, Delta State University, PMB 1, Abraka 2 Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Introduction Dimples are small visible indentations on the skin, and when present on the face, supposedly enhance beauty and expression and to a great extent, valued by others. Dimple exist as shallow or deep, but the deep dimple looks more appealing than shallow dimple though the shallow dimple gives delightful look. Dimples make the smile more prominent, which increase the view of expression and facial beauty (1). Facial dimples are highly seen because is extremely visible in the face, and an important channel for expressing feelings and emotions beyond words. Facial dimples has a tendency to accentuate a smile, thus increasing the insight of attractiveness, sociability and facial beauty (2). Dimples are transient or permanent, depending on the cause or factor responsible for their occurrence (1). The physical traits are observable attributes dictated by explicit sections of genetic materials known as genes which make every individual (3). Humans have hereditary traits including both dominant and recessive (4). The dominant genes liable for the inheritance of facial dimples have been proposed to be situated on chromosome 5 for the cheek dimple gene and chromosome 16 for the chin dimple gene. It could subsequently be construed that both dominant genes reside in individuals who express these dominants traits (1). Morphological and behavioral hereditary characteristics demonstrate the ethnic variation and the diversity among humans. These features give novel chance to examine the morphogenetic variation among the endogamous populations living in various topographical and ecological conditions (5). Dimples occur in both sexes, with no predominance in either sex (1). Anatomically double or bifid zygomaticus muscles are liable for facial dimples. This facial muscle enclosure into dermis causes a dermal tethering effect (6). Smiling makes the overlying skin draw inward, making the dimples larger and progressively obvious. Be that as it may, conversely, chin dimples are formed due to an underlying bone defect (7). ABSTRACT Facial dimples are profoundly valued because the face is exceptionally visible, and it is a significant outlet for communicating thoughts and feelings. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence and pattern of facial dimples among the Ndokwa people of Delta State in Nigeria. This study adopted an observational cross-sectional study design and was conducted at Obiaruku in Delta State and involved male and female Ndokwas of Delta State. 384 subjects were used and the cluster sampling technique was adopted. Ethical clearance/approval was gotten from the Ethical Committee of the Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Biology, Delta State University, Abraka in Nigeria and data was collected with the aid of a questionnaire. The questionnaire included the following: age, gender, presence of facial dimples, the pattern of facial dimples, presence of facial dimples among parents of the respondents, pattern of facial dimples among parents of the respondents, and perception towards facial dimples. Data obtained were subjected to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Chi-square was used to compare the prevalence of facial dimples between the sexes and a p-value lesser than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Most of the subjects in this study were females (n=196, 51%) while minorities were males (n=188, 49%) and aged 18-23years, followed by 24-29 years, 30-35 years, and 36- 40years. The prevalence of facial dimple was 31.8% (n=122). Most of the facial dimple s were located in the cheek, followed by the chin. This present study demonstrated a higher prevalence of facial dimples among females than males. Facial dimples can be inherited and the dominant gene is thus responsible for this inheritance pattern. Keywords: Facial, dimple, prevalence, Ndokwa, Nigeria