Knowledge and Attitudes of Parents Regarding Digit Sucking Habit in Children in Pune: A Questionnaire-based Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Digit sucking is a most common oral fixation observed in children, which involves placement of thumb or fingers into the mouth. Knowledge of the risk factors for the presence of this habit helps to provide a better understanding of the phenomena and is of great significance to the establishment of preventive measures, which can avoid the damage caused by the persistence of these habits. Aim: To evaluate the knowledge and attitude of parents of children aged between 3-6 years regarding digit sucking habit. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, belonging to urban and semiurban area of Pune, Maharashtra, India from December 2020 to May 2021. A total of 310 parents of children, aged between 3-6 years were included. A close-ended questionnaire was administered to parents to assess their knowledge and attitude regarding digit sucking habit in children. Completely filled questionnaires were considered for result synthesis. The data obtained was tabulated and descriptive data were statistically analysed using software International Business Machines (IBM) Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. Results: Although 229 (73.9%) of parents agreed that for achieving good oral health prevention of digit sucking habit is essential, but 197 (63.5%) parents were unaware of the predisposing factors for digit sucking habit. A total of 195 (62.9%) parents did not agree that inadequate parental attention may lead to thumb sucking habit. A total of 197 (63.5%) parents agreed that prolonged digit sucking can cause misaligned teeth but majority of the parents 205 (66.1%) and 166 (53.5%) disagreed on its effects on facial growth and speech respectively. A total of 219 (70.6%) parents did not receive any scientific information or counselling from healthcare worker regarding sucking habit. A total of 299 (96.5%) of parents agreed that guidance from healthcare workers is needed regarding oral habits in children. Conclusion: Present study concluded that the attitude towards learning about digit sucking habit was good the knowledge of the study participants was poor.