The correlation between dental caries and dermatoglyphics: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Here, we used a meta-analysis approach to systematically evaluate the correlation between dental caries and dermatoglyphics. To identify findings relating to the association between dental caries and dermatoglyphics, a methodical literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases from inception to August 2023. Data analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 and Stata 15.0 software, combining odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A total of eight studies were included, comprising 1563 participants, with 883 in the dental caries group and 680 in the caries-free group. The distribution of arches, loops and whorls between the dental caries group and the caries-free group did not differ significantly. Except for an observed statistical significance in the distribution of arches by study type (p = 0.02), there were no significant differences between the other subgroups. The occurrence rate of whorls was higher in the dental caries group than in the healthy group among female participants, while the distribution of loops was less frequent. Current evidence shows that in the female population, caries and dermatoglyphics were associated, however, in the overall population, the distribution of arches, loops and whorls did not correlate significantly with dental caries, according to this meta-analysis.