Genetic taste sensitivity and dental caries in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: PROP test (6-n-propylthiouracil) for the identification of genetic sensitivity to caries in young individuals has emerged as a useful tool for caries risk assessment. AIM: To systematically appraise available evidence on the association between genetic taste sensitivity, as detected by (PROP), and caries. DESIGN: Seven databases, as of March 2020, were searched. Search terms included 'caries', 'taste predisposition', 'PROP'. Risk of bias assessment was performed using ROBINS-I tool, and the quality of evidence was assessed with GRADE. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted to synthesize data, and pooled effects were estimated through standardized mean differences (SMDs) and associated confidence Intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS: Of 92 articles initially retrieved, 12 were eligible for inclusion. Seven contributed to the meta-analyses. All were cross-sectional studies, with moderate-to-serious risk of bias. The non-tasters of PROP exhibited a significantly higher value for the DMFT compared with tasters (SMD: 1.23; 95% CI: 0.90, 1.56; P < .001), whereas the association for the DMFS was SMD: 1.34; 95% CI: 0.66, 2.01; P < .001 (non-tasters versus super-tasters). The quality of evidence was very low overall. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, non-tasters to PROP exhibited higher caries experience, with subsequent clinical implications for follow-up and management of the 'high-susceptibility' individuals.