Removal program of nonnutritive sucking habits based on simple actions and parents and children motivation

ABSTRACT

AIM: This research aims to present a program that uses simple measures and practices for the child becomes motivated to remove the habit. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample consisted of children aged 3-6 years, of both genders, with habit of finger or pacifier sucking enrolled in preschools in the municipal education of Araraquara, S.P (Brazil). The methodology can be divided into three parts 1. Parents orientation about the need and importance of immediate abandonment of the habit; 2. Problem presentation for the child; 3. Development of playful activities. It was considered as a parameter for successful cases when the habit was removed within 8 weeks from the beginning of the work. RESULTS: As a result, it was observed that when the children were motivated, most of them removed the habit, reducing the chances of future malocclusions. CONCLUSION: It is considered that the presented method is an alternative to be used by professionals such as dentists, psychologists, pediatricians and speech therapists in helping to care for children with non-nutritive sucking habit.