Government reforms legislation on children and young people’s health checks

The Government proposes to update legislation on children and young people’s health checks. Under the proposal, the timing and content of health checks in child health clinics, school and student healthcare, and oral healthcare would in future be regulated in a government decree instead of an act. The health check in student healthcare at upper secondary level would be combined with the pre-conscription health examination, and an electronic health questionnaire would be introduced. 

The aim is to reduce detailed regulation on the content of services and to give wellbeing services counties greater flexibility in organising health counselling content and practices, for example. 

Clarifications to the timing of child health clinic and school health checks

The timing and content of health checks would be defined in a decree.

Children under school age would continue to receive 15 health checks at child health clinics and three dental health examinations. The dental check-ups would be carried out at ages one, three and five, with an additional assessment of oral health at six months of age by a public health nurse. 

The number of school health checks would remain almost unchanged, with check-ups carried out by grade level. For school-aged children, one additional dental examination would be introduced at age nine.  Dental health checks should include at least one performed by a dentist, whereas previously at least two had to be carried out by a dentist.

The inspection of the school environment would in future take place every four years instead of every three years. 

New electronic health questionnaire in student healthcare

In future, the Finnish Defence Forces’ pre-conscription health examination would be included in the upper secondary student health check for 18-year-olds. The health checks, including assessments of fitness for service, would be conducted simultaneously for the entire age group. Upper secondary student healthcare would include a health examination by a public health nurse in the first or second year for those subject to compulsory education.  

For students over 18, the health examination would be carried out as necessary. An electronic health questionnaire would be introduced to help healthcare professionals assess the need and timing of health checks for students of compulsory education age. The questionnaire would also be used to prepare the preliminary assessment of fitness for service in the pre-conscription examination.

Changes to be implemented in stages

The amendments to the Health Care Act would enter into force on 1 January 2026, and the amendments to the Conscription Act and the Act on Voluntary Military Service for Women on 1 January 2027.  The electronic health questionnaire would be introduced in autumn 2026 and would be available for use in pre-conscription health checks in 2028.  

The proposal is linked to the 2026 Budget and is intended to be considered in connection with it. 

Enquiries

Sini Huikuri, Legal Adviser, tel. +358 295 163 018
Pia Suvivuo, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 163 517
Merja-Liisa Auero, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. + 358 295 163 304

Email addresses are [email protected].