Non-nutritive sucking habits among preschool children in southern Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

Prolonged non-nutritive sucking habits have negative effects on child’s orofacial structures, physical, social and psychological wellbeing. The objectives of the present study were (1) to determine the prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habit in Saudi preschool children, (2) to assess the factors influencing the habit, (3) to determine mothers’ view on causes of non-nutritive sucking and their reasons to stop the habit and (4) to report methods used by the mothers in eliminating the habit. This cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the kindergartens in Abha and Khamis Mushayt cities. The sample included parents of 328 male and female preschool children. A pre-piloted self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection and the response rate was 85.4%. The prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habit was 46.6%; of these, pacifier sucking was 30.2% and digit sucking was 16.4%. There were significant differences with pacifier habit between mother’s educational status and sex (p=0.008 and p=0.002 respectively). The odds of pacifier habit were higher in females [OR=2.14, 95% CI (1.32, 2.52)] and mothers with higher university education [OR=1.67, 95% CI (1.03, 2.72)]. There were significant differences with digit sucking habit and mothers’ educational status (p=0.022). The odds of digit sucking habit was higher in mothers with intermediate and secondary education [OR=2.25, 95% CI (1.24, 4.07)]. Some mothers (37.90%) used non-nutritive sucking as solution to calm the crying child, while others (47.05%) wanted to stop the habit as it might affect the child’s dentition. Some mothers (37%) interrupted the habit physically, while only 10% had preferred to consult the dentist.

Dental erosion among 12-15-year-old school boys in southern Saudi Arabia

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of dental erosion in 12-15-year-old schoolchildren and to compare prevalence between public and private school boys. This cross-sectional study was carried out on 1000, 12-15-year-old school boys in Abha, Saudi Arabia. Dental erosion index proposed by O‘Sullivan was used for the four maxillary incisors. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, location, distribution, and extension of affected area and severity of dental erosion. The prevalence of dental erosion was 25.60% with no significant difference between private and public school students. Matt appearance of the enamel was the most prevalent type of dental erosion (63.63%). In most of the involved cases, more than half of their surfaces were diagnosed as affected by erosion (78.49%). Labial surfaces were the most affected (80.90%), while incisal surfaces were least affected (0.22%). Thus it can be concluded that dental erosion among Saudi school boys is becoming a significant problem, hence it is essential to provide adequate preventive care, and healthier dietary habits campaign for Saudi children.