Thumb Sucking and Other Nonnutritive Sucking Habits in Children

Overview

4.9 out of 5 (9 Reviews)

Credits

1.00

Post-Assessment Questions

5

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

19 Apr 2026

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

60 Minutes


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Activity Description

Thumb sucking is classified as a nonnutritive sucking habit, which also includes using pacifiers, chewing on blankets, and sucking on other digits for comfort. This behavior serves a self-soothing and regulatory function in early childhood. These habits are common in young children, who typically stop on their own between ages 2 and 4. This course focuses on 3 major adverse outcomes: dental malocclusion, skin conditions, and social issues. This course reviews how to assess and manage nonnutritive sucking behaviors and highlights the importance of the interprofessional team in caring for patients with this issue, providing healthcare professionals with the knowledge and tools necessary for effective evaluation and treatment.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Differentiate age-appropriate thumb sucking and other nonnutritive sucking behaviors from persistent behaviors that place children at increased risk for complications, including dental malocclusion, skin conditions, and social issues, to guide timely counseling and intervention.

  • Identify the typical clinical presentation of pediatric patients with thumb sucking and other nonnutritive sucking habits.

  • Implement evidence-based management and treatment strategies for pediatric patients with thumb sucking and other nonnutritive sucking habits.

  • Collaborate with the interprofessional team to improve outcomes for pediatric patients with thumb sucking and other nonnutritive sucking habits.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Nurses: StatPearls designates this activity for 1.00 ANCC contact hour(s). Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Syed A. on 10/15/2020

Yvanne B. on 11/12/2021

Dr Amrita K. on 7/12/2022

SYED M. on 12/4/2022

Parthiban B. on 1/14/2023

Nida A. on 3/14/2023

Brittani S. on 5/8/2024

donald b. on 12/29/2024

Teal M. on 7/8/2026

Unlimited Nurse CE

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6345 CE activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7566.5 hours of CE.

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$25 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Nurse CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse CE activities in all specialties.

$89 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Nurse CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse CE activities in all specialties.

$139 per 1 year per user