Caries risk in children of Udaipur City, India using genetic taste sensitivity to 6-n-propylthiouracil

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Dental caries still remains the single most common disease of childhood. The present study was conducted to test the hypothesis that a higher prevalence of dental caries would be observed among nontaster children compared to medium tasters or supertasters of 6n propylthiouracil impregnated filter papers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted on a random sample of 600 school children aged 6–12 years in Udaipur city. 6-n-propylthiouracil strips were prepared. The food preference questionnaire was filled by the participants, and their decayed missing filled status as well as taste sensitivity to the propylthiouracil impregnated filter papers were noted. The data obtained was then used for statistical analysis using chi square, analysis of variance, and Students t-tests with the consult of a statistician using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 17 software. RESULTS: Nontasters had a greater caries experience than the supertasters and medium tasters. Females were found to be more tasters than nontasters. It was also found that nontasters belonged to caries active group more than the tasters. CONCLUSION: The caries status was higher among the nontaster children with more sweet preference than in taster children and they belonged more to the caries active group.