A habit is a formed reaction that is resistant to change. Whether it is useful or harmful depends on the degree to which it interferes with a child¿s physical, emotional or social function. Parents may often feel a sense of guilty/failure, that their child¿s rearing practices have contributed to the formation of an unacceptable habit and they seek a remedy for interrupting it. Many oral habits may be considered normal for a certain stage of child¿s development but it is the duty of the pedodontist to work with the parents and children towards the resolution of habit before it causes any deleterious effect because he is most often the first to see the patient.

Le Dr Akhil Jose E J travaille dans le domaine de la dentisterie pédiatrique en Inde. Il a une grande expérience de l'enseignement, de la formation et de la recherche. Il a travaillé sous la direction du Dr Prashant Babaji et du Dr Shashibhushan K K au Sharavathi Dental College and Hospital, Shimoga, Karnataka. Il a contribué à un certain nombre de publications.