In order to determine if the presence of K6a, K6b, K6c, K16 and K17 in mature human enamel had an impact on the susceptibility to tooth decay, we tested the association between SNPs in the genes encoding these keratins and three measures of dental caries experience assessed in the primary dentition of 449 children (mixed European descent, 6–12 years) and permanent dentition of 573 adults (mixed European descent, 25–50 years). The gene discussed is KRT16; the disease is dental caries.