Prevalence of pacifier use and the impact of maternal education and regularity of dental visits on the age of pacifier withdrawal.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of pacifier use among Saudi children and analyze the effects of maternal education and dental visits on the age of pacifier withdrawal.

Methods: The dental histories of mothers of 300 children with age group of 2-7 years were obtained along with their educational level, frequency of dental checkups, and age of pacifier withdrawal. Data were analyzed using the cross-tabulation and Chi-square tests.

Results: Forty percent (n = 133) of the children used pacifier. There was an effect of maternal education on the age of pacifier withdrawal: higher the maternal education, younger the age of pacifier withdrawal. The frequency of dental visits influenced the relationship between maternal education and age of pacifier withdrawal.

Conclusions: Unhealthy oral habits such as prolonged pacifier use can be reduced with regular dental checkups and higher levels of mother education. Hence, we recommend that children should start dental visits at an early age and maintain visits at regular intervals.