Aim: This study aimed to assess the relationship between hand prints patterns and dental caries among 12 and 15 yr children in Muradnagar, Ghaziabad, U.P. Materials and Methods: The study sample consisted of 100 children aged between 12 and 15 years, divided into two groups of 50 children each. For collection of data, a pro forma was used consisting of demographic details, brief case history regarding sugar consumption, oral hygiene methods and fingerprints and recording format of Dentition status. finger prints were recorded with duplicating ink described by Cummins and Midlo. Caries experience was clinically assessed by Dentition status and treatment needs and OHI-S. Statistical analysis was done by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Results were found Statistical significant with p-value equal or less than 0.05. Result: A study comprises of 100 children who were equally divided in study (caries group) and control group (caries free group), out of which 51% were male and 49% were female. 52% do not clean their teeth and 88% clean their teeth in caries free group. Majority of individuals in caries group have whorl pattern followed by loop pattern. Loop pattern was dominate among caries free group. Conclusion: In this study, central pocket whorl were found to have an association with an increase in dental caries experience. There is a definite correlation between fingerprint patterns and dental caries. Thus, the dermatoglyphics gives a hope in the prediction of dental caries much before its initiation giving a sufficient time to implement preventive measures.
