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Dental treatment: when you can get help to pay

Draft, translated: translated from the Norwegian original with the help of a language model, and may contain errors. The Norwegian version is the authoritative one. See the Norwegian original →

Children and young people up to 18 get free dental treatment. Young adults aged 19 to 28 pay 25 per cent. Adults usually pay themselves, but some groups and 15 conditions give support. And NAV can help if you cannot afford it.

Norwegian original last checked against official sources: 16 October 2026. Rules and figures change, so always check the official site before you act.

The dentist is expensive, and many people put off treatment for that reason. According to Helsenorge, there are several schemes, depending on age and situation.

Children and young people

  • Age 0 to 18: All treatment in the public dental service is free, except orthodontics, which has its own rules.
  • Age 19 to 28: You pay 25 per cent of the costs yourself, and the public system covers the rest at government rates. Contact the public dental service where you live.

Groups who get free treatment in the public dental service

  • People who receive home nursing or live in an institution for more than three months.
  • People with an intellectual disability (not orthodontics).
  • People with substance dependence who receive certain services for three months or more (not orthodontics).

Some other groups, such as refugees at state reception centres and people with severe dental anxiety or who have experienced torture or abuse, can get a special service (TOO).

Adults

As a rule, adults pay themselves. But Helfo covers part of the costs for 15 conditions, for example rare medical conditions, cleft lip and palate, tumours in the mouth, gum disease (periodontitis), jaw and bite anomalies, and dental injuries after an accident or occupational injury.

  • The dentist must have a direct settlement agreement with Helfo. Ask before treatment starts.
  • Dentists set their own prices, and can charge more than Helfo covers. You pay the difference yourself.
  • Co-payments for some of the conditions count towards the exemption card.

Cannot afford it?

You can apply to the NAV office for financial support for dental treatment under the Social Services Act. Ask the dentist for a cost estimate and enclose it. Read financial social assistance.

Tip: Ask the dentist whether the treatment can be split up, and whether some of what you need might fall under one of the Helfo conditions. If you have a dental injury after an approved occupational injury, see occupational injury.

Sources

Kontaktpunkt24 gives general information, not legal advice. If you need help with your own case, contact a lawyer, a legal aid service, or the relevant authority.

This page is translated from Norwegian with the help of a language model, and may contain errors. The Norwegian version is always the authoritative one.