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Patient Management

250 - Parental Knowledge Regarding Non-Nutritive Sucking Habits in Children

Saturday, May 23, 2026
10:45 AM - 11:00 AM PST
Has Audio

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Helen Yuan, DDS (she/her/hers)

    Pediatric Dental Resident
    Children’s Hospital of Michigan -— Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI
    Children's Hospital of Michigan (DMC)
    Royal Oak, Michigan, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Donna Kritz-Silverstein, PhD (she/her/hers)

    Professor
    University of California, San Diego
    University of California San Diego
    San Diego, California, United States

    • Research Mentor(s)

  • MS

    Martin Stern, DDS

    Resident
    Children's Hospital of Michigan
    Hazel Park, Michigan, United States

    • Program Director(s)

  • KP

    Kristen C. Ponichter, DMD

    Children's Hospital of Michigan
    Hazel Park, Michigan, United States

Abstract: Purpose /

Background: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry currently recommends that children discontinue pacifier use and non-nutritive sucking (NNS) habits by 36 months of age. However, there is limited research on parent/guardian knowledge of effects of prolonged pacifier and NNS habits, and how knowledge varies by parent characteristics. This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap.

 

Methods: Parents of children aged 3 to 6 years seen in a hospital-based pediatric dental clinic between January - March 2026. Parents were asked to respond anonymously to a survey that includes questions regarding their child’s pacifier and digit-sucking habits, knowledge of the long-term effects of NNS, and opinions on effects of long-term sucking habits as well as demographic characteristics such as age, education, acculturation, and their child’s birth order.



Results: 96 survey responses were gathered from Children's Dental Specialists Clinic in Hazel Park, MI, an urban pediatric dental practice in metro Detroit, MI. 60.4% of parents reported that their child had a history of pacifier usage and 15.6% reported a digit habit. Most children (98%) with pacifier habits stopped by the age of 36 months. The most common reason that caregivers gave for habit cessation for both pacifiers and digit sucking was that the child "self-stopped". There was no significant comparison between parent knowledge of pacifier and digit habit knowledge between different variables such as race, education level, employment status, child age/gender, or breastfeeding duration. The only significant finding was that parents of a child with a pacifier history had significantly higher total knowledge scores of pacifier and digit habits. Close to 90% of parents were aware that pacifier use and digit sucking were harmful, and over 90% of parents recognized that it was important to stop NNS habits by the AAPD recommended 36 months guideline.



Conclusions: Pediatric dental providers and pediatricians should deliver structured NNS anticipatory guidance that goes beyond general harm awareness to address specific orofacial sequalae - particularly airway and palatal effects. Integration of targeted counseling at routine well-child visits can potentially close knowledge gaps.

Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number:
Research supported by Detroit Medical Center and Wayne State University.