Bamidele Kolude
University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Title: Ethnic and gender comparison of rugae patterns among clinical dental trainees in Ibadan, Nigeria
Biography
Biography: Bamidele Kolude
Abstract
The Yoruba ethnic group is predominant in south-western Nigeria while the Igbo ethnic group is predominant in south-eastern Nigeria. Yoruba ethnic group worldwide were estimated to be about 30 million in the year 2010, while there were approximately 24 million of Igbo ethnicity. Global distribution of these two ethnic groups is as a result of slave trade, educational and business determination. The palatal rugae pattern is unique to humans and may be specific to ethnic groups and/or gender hence the suggestion for its use in population and gender identification in forensic dentistry. These rugae patterns are well protected by the lips, the buccal pad of fat and teeth. They are said to be stable throughout life following completion of growth and they can be used effectively in post mortem identification provided, an ante-mortem record exists. Human identification is required for certification of death and for personal, social, legal and humanitarian reasons. This becomes particularly important in mass disasters involving individuals of different races or ethnicities. In the background of few studies on the forensic role of palatal rugae in West Africa, we aim to compare the rugae patterns between two major ethnic groups contrasted with gender in Ibadan, Nigeria to establish any peculiarities.