Prevalence of Pacifier-sucking Habits and Successful Methods to Eliminate Them – A Preliminary Study

Author(s): Viviane Degan SLP, MSc PhD & Regina M. Puppin-Rontani DDS MSc PhD
Journal: Journal of Dentistry for Children
Month, Year: 2004
Major topic: Habit cessation efficacy
Type of Article: Survey
Findings: Non nutritive sucking has been shown to be prevalent in many populations but practically no existent in others. Children most often develop an attachment to a pacifier when parents use it to calm the child and the effects it has depend on the intensity, frequency and duration of the habit, most commonly the open bite. The highest percentages of non-nutritive sucking habit was 18% in the 60-71 month age group and 41% in the 72-83 month group. Breast-feeding was most common in the first 3 onths of life, gradually lessened and abruptly dropped off at 1 year of age. Bottle feeding grew rapidly until the 36-47 month age but did continue to 71 months. Sixty three percent of children used a pacifier. Pacifier cessation was observed most frequently in the 36-47 month group and the 24-35 month group using unpalatable substances and throwing the pacifier out respectively. Interestingly, the longer the child breast fed, the less likely they were to use a pacifier. Many parents do not find it necessary to attempt stopping the habit. Explanation by professionals was the most successful cessation protocol, but it was the least used. ‘Abrupt interruption’ was the most commonly used method and it had a 64% success rate
Key points/Summary: The ‘professional explanation’ showed the highest success rate but no information is included as to who spoke to the child and what was presented. Spontaneous removal at 36-47 months and substances on the pacifier at 24-35 months also showed promise as habit cessation techniques.
Assessment of article: Could have used more detail on the techniques. Would love to see this study in an American clinic.

Brian Schmid DMD