This is the same kind of thinking which encouraged women to wean early when there is no need to. With my first, I heard the advice to wean my daughter. She weaned at 15 months. At 22 months, he still nurses at least once a day. No one comments on it now.
Many primates suckle on something until their adult teeth come in.
Of course, doctors who aren't up on the most recent nutrition information may not follow this. Medical school classes on pediatrics, from what I understand, don't focus a lot on the needs for pacifiers and bottles. I do use a ped.