CHILD AND FAMILY POLICY IN FINLAND

ment to promote the positive development of children. Child guidance and family counselling
services are available from child guidance and family counselling clinics.
The aim of child guidance and family counselling is to create a foundation of safe and
secure conditions for children to grow up in and to contribute to the functional capacity and
psychosocial well-being of families. Families typically seek child guidance and family counselling
if a child is having problems or if there are problems in the family or in the relationship
between the parents. Other common reasons include family mediation and the need for a
professional opinion. The services are free of charge for families.
Dental care for children
All children of the same age are invited to a dental check-up at regular intervals. Additional
appointments can be scheduled as required. Periodic check-ups include an oral health examination
and an assessment of any need for treatment if the situation has changed. Personalised
health plans are drawn up as required.
Families expecting their first child are invited to a dental check-up to discuss the oral
health care of the whole family. The check-up includes an oral health examination and an assessment
of any need for treatment for all members of the family.
Children under school age are invited to periodic check-ups with a dental hygienist or a
dental nurse and, if necessary, with a dentist. Periodic dental examinations for schoolchildren
are part of the school health care system. Dental check-ups for schoolchildren are performed
by dentists, dental hygienists and specialised dental nurses. Additional examinations are carried
out to establish the need for orthodontic treatment, for example. Children under the age
of 18 are entitled to free dental appointments.
34