Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a major health concern globally ever since it was declared as Pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. Due to the evolving and contagious nature of coronavirus, it continues to remain a threat for dental health-care personnel. As the virus travels from person-to-person via direct contact through droplet inhalation, cough, and sneeze or through contact transmission, it remains infectious even through inanimate surfaces. A seemingly healthy asymptomatic person may have the potential to trigger the spread of this disease. Coronavirus has the capability of spreading through community transmission. There is no specific treatment or vaccine as of now for stopping the spread of COVID-19, hence universal precautions and awareness with mass involvement is required to ward off this pandemic. Dental health-care personnel are at immense risk due to the near proximity with patients and continual exposure to saliva, blood, and other body fluids. Management protocol regarding awareness and preventive measures should be laid down for dental clinic/hospital to contain the outspread of this infectious disease.
Context:
Dental caries remains the most widespread oral disease among all age groups. Hormonal fingerprints (second digit: fourth digit ratio or 2D:4D ratio) are biomarkers displaying sexual dimorphism and diverse human phenotypic traits. A person's genetic makeup may influence the occurrence of dental caries.
Aim:
The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of digit ratio on the incidence of dental caries.
Settings and Design:
Two hundred patients between 18 and 55 years, reporting for restorations or endodontic therapy, participated in the study.
Subjects and Methods:
Hormonal fingerprints (2D:4D ratio) were measured with the help of a digital vernier caliper. Caries incidence was recorded using the DMFT index.
Statistical Analysis used:
Data obtained were tabulated and statistically analyzed using Independent
t
-test and Chi-square test.
Results
Males had a less mean 2D:4D ratio than females, which was statistically significant (
p
-value = 0.003). Chi-square test was applied, and there was a statistically significant correlation between high digit ratio and caries experience (
p
-value = 0.002). Females with a high digit ratio and males with a low digit ratio were in the moderate and low caries risk groups with a
p
-value of 0.029 and 0.001 in the respective risk groups.
Conclusion
The present study displayed a correlation between hormonal fingerprints (2D:4D ratio) and dental caries. An indicator of caries risk will help prevent caries by implementing oral hygiene measures, which will reduce its incidence as the most occurring oral disease.
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