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

Background: 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: 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: -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: 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.