Correlation of dermatoglyphics, def index and caries activity test for caries risk assessment in children: A randomised clinical trial

Abstract

Dental caries is defined as an infectious disease of microbial origin which is related to every specialty of dentistry in one or the other way. Genetic susceptibility to dental caries is dependent on certain factors, which if evaluated, can help in estimating disease prematurely.: The present study attempts to correlate the dermatoglyphic patterns, caries activity test and ‘def’ index in occurance of caries pattern in children in order to assess future caries risk.The‘def’ indices were recorded using diagnostic instruments, dermatoglyphic interpretation was done using stamp-pad method and S. mutans levels were estimated by caries activity test.: Data were summarised as Mean ± SE (standard error of the mean). Groups were compared by one factor analysis of variance (ANOVA).Pearson correlation analysis and simple linear regression analysis were done to assess correlation and strength of association between the variables respectively. A two-tailed (α=2) p value less than 0.05 (p<0.05) was considered statistically significant. Analyses were performed on SPSS software (windows version 17.0). ResultThe outcome of the study showed a positive correlation between the dermatoglyphic patterns (whorl and loop), def index and total viable salivary Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) bacterial count. The whorls and loops were counted in numbers (no.), ‘def’ index was assessed in scores and S. mutans in CFU/ml.This study showed that dermatoglyphic pattern whorls increases with increase in ‘def’ index and S. mutans count whereas, loops decreases with increase in ‘def’ index and S. mutans count in saliva.