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HEALTH

How much does going to the dentist cost in Norway? 

A trip to the dentist can be painful in more ways than one, especially for your bank account, so how much will it set you back in Norway and how do you get an appointment?

How much does going to the dentist cost in Norway? 
Many dread a trip to the dentist. Photo by Yusuf Belek on Unsplash

Is dental work free in Norway?

Norway’s robust and comprehensive public healthcare system is accessible through the Norwegian National Health Insurance Scheme. Because it is so comprehensive, many make the assumption that all health issues, including dental problems, are covered by the scheme.  

Unfortunately, this isn’t the case as, generally, dental care is not covered by the public healthcare system. Instead, you will have to go to a private practitioner should you have an issue with your teeth or if it’s time for a checkup. 

If you’d like to learn more about what is covered by the National Health Insurance, you can look at our guide on how the scheme works and common problems foreigners run into here.

How much does it cost?

The bad news is that, much like most other things in Norway, a trip to the dentists will set you back a fair amount, and unlike the Norwegian National Health Insurance Scheme, there is no exemption card, or frikort, after you have paid a certain amount. 

READ MORE: Seven things foreigners in Norway should know about the health system

On the bright side, dental treatment is free for children under 18, and if you are aged between 19 and 20, you will only need to stump up 25 percent of the total bill. 

In most cases, everyone over the age of 21 will be expected to pay the whole bill, apart from a few exceptions, which you can read about here

The cost of dentistry can be reimbursed or subsidised if you meet any of the 15 conditions that will entitle you to claim support from The Norwegian Health Economics Administration or Helfo.

Helfo is responsible for making payments from the National Insurance Scheme to healthcare providers and reimbursing individuals for vital healthcare services not covered by the insurance scheme. 

The list of conditions includes essential work, such as having an oral tumour removed, for example. You can take a look at the 15 conditions for which you claim help from Helfo here.

You can also apply to the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Administration (NAV) for financial assistance relating to dental work.

How much you are eligible to receive from NAV will depend entirely on your situation. 

Below you can take a look at the rough cost of some common dental work in Norway. 

  • Examination/appointment- 600 kroner 
  • Examination/appointment with tartar removal and x rays- 1,000 kroner 
  • Small filling- 900 kroner 
  • Medium sized filling 1,400- kroner 
  • Large filling- 1,500 kroner 
  • Tooth surgically removed- 2,000 kroner 
  • Root canal filling 3,800 kroner
  • Crown- 7,000 kroner

How to book an appointment

Booking an appointment in Norway is as simple as contacting your nearest dentist. Before you book, you can typically check the price list of the dentist you will be visiting to get a rough idea of how much the visit could cost you too. 

The majority of dentists in Norway will speak good English. You can also visit an entirely English speaking dentist surgery, where all the staff will speak English, in the big cities such as Oslo if you haven’t quite gotten to grips with Norwegian yet. 

You can search for a dentist using this tool which will show you your nearest dentist in the town, city or county you live in. 

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HEALTH

Five things you can do at Norwegian pharmacies other than pick up prescriptions 

You can do a lot more than just pick up medicine at Norwegian pharmacies. From mole scans, and skincare to blood pressure tests, here are some of the other services available. 

Five things you can do at Norwegian pharmacies other than pick up prescriptions 

Pretty much everywhere in Norway, from the big cities to the small villages and towns, has access to a pharmacy. 

This is because they offer several services beyond just picking up a doctor’s prescription or popping in to purchase some non-prescription medications. 

Being able to offer such a wide range of services is both convenient for customers, but also frees up capacity in the wider healthcare system. 

READ ALSO: Are there any ways to get a quicker GP appointment in Norway?

Blood pressure checks 

Cardiovascular diseases are among the most frequent causes of death in Norway. One factor that contributes to cardiovascular disease is high blood pressure.

High blood pressure can’t really be felt and must be measured. 

There’s also the risk of low blood pressure, which can also be a symptom of heart disease. 

Many pharmacies in Norway take blood pressure readings for patients. Anyone over 16 can have their blood pressure measured, as can those under 16 with a doctor’s note. 

A blood pressure test typically costs less than a GP appointment, so it could help you save both time and money by doing it at a pharmacy. 

Follow-up on medications 

Starting new medicines can be a challenge, with side effects and fitting the medication into your everyday life potentially causing challenges. 

Pharmacies offer a service where they can follow up with patients to check in on how they are getting on with new medication and offer any tips or advice they may have. 

They can also answer any questions you may have about any potential side effects you are having. 

Two conversations take place. The first after 1-2 weeks, and then after 3-5 weeks. The service is mostly for heart and cardiovascular medication. However, insight into diabetes medication is also now available. 

Some pharmacies also offer guidance on how to get the best out of inhalation medication free of charge. 

Mole scans 

One of the first signs of skin cancer is a mole that changes in size, shape, or colour. Other symptoms can include parts of the skin that begin to look different from others. 

Detecting cancers early is key to maximizing the chances of a positive outcome. Boots Pharmacies in Norway offer mole scanning. 

Qualified health personnel at the pharmacy will first ask you a number of questions and potentially take photos of the affected areas. 

This information and the scans will be sent to a qualified dermatologist. Then, within a week, a report from the dermatologist will arrive, telling you whether you should seek a doctor for a final diagnosis. 

Vaccinations 

It is possible to have vaccines administered at pharmacies. The seasonal flu vaccine is the most common, and you won’t need a doctor’s recommendation to take a flu jab. 

However, you can take a full range of vaccinations at a pharmacy. Some of the options available are TBE, Hepatitis A and B, cervical cancer and more. 

Vaccines for travel are also available. Typically, taking these vaccines may cost slightly more than at a doctor’s. 

Schengen certificates 

When travelling with medication, you may need a certificate to take it overseas. This applies to certain sleeping and anxiety medicines, narcotics and strong painkillers. 

The certificates are valid for 30 days and allow you to travel with the medications in question. To obtain a certificate, you will need a valid ID, passport and documentation of the medicine, such as the doctor to issue it, the strength, and the quantity. 

Skincare advice 

Some pharmacies will carry out a skin analysis for customers and then give them tips and advice on how to care for their skin, and which products could be useful. 

One way of doing this is to measure the moisture levels of your skin. The analysis is typically free and non-binding – meaning you don’t need to fork out for any expensive skincare products. 

Vitusapotek has several specialist skincare outlets that employ specialist skin therapists. These are only available in Oslo, Bergen, Stavnager, Bodø and Tromsø though. 

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