Association of genetic and environmental factors with dental caries among adolescents in south China: A cross-sectional study.

Aim The objective of this study was to investigative genetic and environmental factors that contribute to caries susceptibility among adolescents in south China. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1055 adolescents aged 13-14 years old in south China. The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) was used to identify caries. Environmental variables were analysed by regression models. Twenty-three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 14 genes were identified from saliva samples. Regression analysis was used for the evaluation of effects of SNP markers using the minor allele as the effect allele. Results Our results suggest that gender, Cariostat score and Plaque Index were associated with dental caries. After the adjustment by age and gender, the G allele in AMBN (rs13115627) nominally was a protective factor for caries under additive model (P=0.028; OR=0.782; 95% CI, 0.627- 0.974). However, the association did not meet the Bonferroni correction significance cut-off for multiple testing. Conclusion Gender, Cariostat score and Plaque Index were associated with dental caries in this population. No selected SNPs showed a significant association with dental caries under either additive model or dominance model.