Dermatoglyphics, Dentistry and Diagnosis-A Review Sharma Anshu*,1, Assistant Professor, Palvi2, Senior Lecturer, Kapoor Dheeraj2, Senior Lecturer 1Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, K.D. Dental College and Hospital, Mathura-281001, Uttarpradesh. 2Department of Oral & Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Dasmesh Institute of Research & oral Dental Sciences, Faridkot. * Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, K.D. Dental College and Hospital Mathura-281001 Uttar pradesh email: dranshul@hotmail.com Abstract A dermatoglyph is a natural “carving” in the skin that is a furrow or fold.The word Dermatoglyphics was coined by Dr.Harold Cummins in 1926,at the University of Oklahama.Later Sir Francis Galton devised a complete system with rules for classification of finger prints.Dermatoglyphic examination is an integral part of investigative procedure in certain disease conditions.To date back Downs syndrome was the first scientifically recognised entity with dermatoglyphic peculiarities published in The lancet.Since that time till date a number of diseases have been correlated with dermatoglyphic peculiarities.In dental sciences data is scanty but of great significance.Oral diseases such as oral cancer,bruxism,dental caries, dental fluorosis etc show a characteristic dermatoglyphic pattern with a sure scientific basis,which is explained by unison embryological origin of oral and dermatoglyphic patterns along with same time of foetal development.This unique dependence of diseases can be characterized by dermatoglyphic patterns of an individual.Present review attempts to sequentially encompass dermatoglyphic features of oral diseases which can lit a new epoch in dental sciences though the field of Forensic odontology Top Keywords Dermatoglyphics, Oral diseases, Dental caries, Arch, Loop, Whorl. Top |