Dental Health Services

The county authority is responsible for public dental health services and provides free treatment for everyone under 18 years old, as well as for prioritized groups.

Children receive invitations for regular check-ups starting at around three years old. Until they turn 18, the nearest public dental clinic will contact them for check-ups and treatment.

Children and young people up to 18 years old.

In addition, the following groups receive regular and proactive dental care services:

• Individuals with intellectual disabilities, both in and outside institutions
• Elderly, long-term ill, and disabled persons in institutions or receiving home nursing care
• Young adults from the year they turn 19 until the year they turn 24
• Individuals with substance use disorders who also receive health services
• Inmates in prisons

The county authority may also select other groups to receive proactive dental care services.

Free Public Dental Care Services
The public dental health service is free for:

• Children aged 0–18
• Individuals who live in an institution or receive home nursing care for more than three months
• Individuals with intellectual disabilities
• Individuals with substance use disorders who receive personal assistance or opioid substitution therapy (LAR)
• Individuals with substance use disorders whose relatives receive respite care from the municipality
• Inmates in prison with a stay of more than three months
• Emergency dental care for inmates in prison

Reduced Fees for Certain Groups

• Individuals aged 19–24 pay 25% of the cost of dental treatment.

Special Payment Arrangements for Specific Groups

• Refugees and asylum seekers in state reception centers
• Individuals with dental phobia

Tannbehandling for pasienter med ruslidelser
Hva koster tannlegen?
Patient and interpreter. A brochure about interpretation in the health services
helsenorge.no - tannhelse
Tannleger i Norge
Takster for tannbehandling

This is a legally mandated service. See:

Tannhelsetjenesteloven
Folketrygdloven § 5-6.

Forskrift om stønad til dekning av utgifter til tannbehandling
Folketrygdloven
Tannhelsetjenesteloven
Helsepersonelloven
Pasient- og brukerrettighetsloven
Forskrift om vederlag for tannhelsetjenester

The county authority is responsible for proactive and outreach services for groups eligible for free dental care. Other prioritized groups must seek out a dentist and book an appointment themselves.

The dental health service in your area can provide information about payment arrangements. You can find the nearest public dental clinic on your county authority’s website.

Financial assistance for dental care may be available through NAV’s financial social assistance programs. See more at nav.no.

If you believe you are not receiving the necessary care or are dissatisfied with the service provided, you can file a complaint with the authority designated by the county. If your complaint is rejected or the decision goes against you, you can appeal to the County Governor.