Abstract: Dermatoglyphics is correlated with diseases which are genetically linked. As the cytogenic markers for cancer are expensive and complex, dermatoglyphics may be of clinical significance to detect individuals who are at increased risk in developing oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). An attempt can be made to study the palmar dermatoglyphics and intercept the impending disease and this can prove worthy to save lives. The Aim of the study was to determine if dermatoglyphic patterns have role in identifying individuals at risk of developing oral squamous cell carcinoma. The dermatoglyphic patterns were taken from 30 patients diagnosed with OSCC, 30 individuals with habits of tobacco and / or alcohol consumption but no oral lesions and 30 healthy individuals with no habits. The finger & palm prints of both the hands were taken by using ink method. Then the finger and palm prints were subjected to qualitative and quantitative analysis. Patients with OSCC had 11 arches, 194 loops and 95 whorls. Patients with habits had 46 arches 76 loops and 178 whorls. Patients without habits had 50 arches 85 loops and 165 whorls. That represents OSCC patients had higher percentage of loops as compared to patients with habits and without habits. As OSCC has a genetic basis, with the knowledge of dermatoglyphic patterns, individuals who are prone to develop these lesions can avoid the trigger factors. The relevance of dermatoglyphics is not for diagnosis, but for prevention, and identification of people with the genetic predisposition to develop certain diseases.