Abstract
BACKGROUND: Taste perception, shaped by both genetic makeup and environmental influences, plays an important role in dietary habits and overall health. Sensitivity to phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), which is controlled by variations in the TAS2R38 gene, categorizes individuals as either tasters or nontasters. This distinction can affect food preferences and may contribute to differences in susceptibility to dental caries. Research has shown associations between PTC-tasting ability and dental caries, skeletal development, and body mass index (BMI), highlighting its potential usefulness in evaluating caries risk and informing growth-related assessments. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of PTC taste sensitivity with dental caries experience, skeletal maturation, and BMI percentiles among individuals classified as tasters and nontasters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 96 children between the ages of 8 and 12 were randomly chosen for the study. PTC taste sensitivity was determined using a standardized taste test. Skeletal development was assessed via radiovisiography (RVG) of the middle phalanx. BMI was calculated using standard anthropometric measurements and classified into percentiles based on the IAP Pediatric Growth Charts. Dental caries experience was recorded using decayed, extracted, and filled teeth (deft) and decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) indices. RESULTS: Nontasters had significantly more carious teeth than tasters (p-value < 0.001). However, no significant differences in BMI or skeletal maturity were observed between tasters and nontasters (p-value = 0.738) and (p-value = 0.555), respectively. CONCLUSION: PTC taste sensitivity may help assess dental caries risk in children. While no significant links were found between PTC sensitivity, obesity, or skeletal maturity, the findings emphasize the importance of taste perception in dietary choices and oral health. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms linking taste sensitivity to health outcomes. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: PTC testing could help clinicians identify cavity-prone children and tailor preventive strategies, with future research exploring taste-based interventions to improve diet and oral health. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Dixit A, Saxena A, Verma N, et al. Association of Phenylthiocarbamide Taste Sensitivity with Dental Caries, Skeletal Maturity, and Body Mass Index Percentiles in Children Aged 8-12 Years: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2026;19(2):190-194.