Non-nutritive Sucking Habits of Preschool Children in Daejeon

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of non-nutritive sucking in preschool children in Daejeon. This study assessed the relationship between contributing factors influencing the prevalence of nonnutritive sucking. Also, the effects of non-nutritive sucking on the primary dentition were investigated. The study included 841 children 18~65 months of age that visited a pediatric private dental clinic for oral examination. Both children and their guardians were surveyed. It was found that 32.8% of children exhibited non-nutritive sucking, and 37.7% of females displayed this behavior. The number of females showing this behavior was significantly greater than that of males. The prevalence decreased significantly with the breast-feeding period, and there was no association with either birth rank or maternal occupation. Finger sucking (62.6%) was more prevalent and of longer duration than pacifier sucking (37.4%). Malocclusion of the primary dentition was associated with the duration of this behavior.