Inheritance and Susceptibility to Dental Caries: A Community-based Study

Area of Science:

• Human Genetics
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Public Health

Background:

• Consanguineous marriage effects on populations are known, but inherited susceptibility to dental caries is less understood.
• Limited research exists on the genetic predisposition to dental caries in offspring of consanguineous unions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate and compare dental caries status using the decayed-missing-filled teeth (DMFT) and decayed-extracted-filled teeth (deft) indices.
• To assess the prevalence of dental caries in children from consanguineous versus non-consanguineous marriages.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in Aligarh city, India, involving 2000 children aged 6-9 years (1600 non-consanguineous, 400 consanguineous).
• Systematic random sampling identified households, and data on sociodemographic factors, birth order, oral hygiene, and feeding practices were collected via questionnaire and clinical examination.
• Statistical analysis included the Student t-test for equality of means and multivariate logistic regression.

Main Results:

• The consanguineous group exhibited statistically significant higher D component (decayed teeth), d component (decayed teeth in deciduous dentition), and deft scores (P < 0.001).
• Multivariate logistic regression identified significant associations between various risk factors and dental caries, but no direct association with either marriage type.

Conclusions:

• Dental caries is multifactorial, influenced by both environmental and genetic factors.
• Consanguinity may play a role in the genetic susceptibility to dental caries, though environmental risk factors are also critical determinants.