The Finnish Family Competence Study: the effects of living conditions on sucking habits in 3-year-old Finnish children and the association between these habits and dental occlusion.

Sucking habits and their connection with family background was investigated in 3-year-old Finnish children. The association between sucking habits and malocclusion was also studied. The study was based on a survey with stratified randomized cluster sampling, confidential questionnaires, and clinical dental examinations. Dummy (pacifier) use was often associated with a negligent attitude towards the child's toothbrushing. This may imply that these parents need more support, encouragement, and counseling from the well-baby clinic than others. Sucking habits were strongly associated with malocclusion.