Ordinance on School Health Services (VGD) - Scope (VGD)

1. This regulation governs the organization, duties, and financing of the school medical and dental services.

2. Treatments or therapeutic measures are not part of the school medical and dental services. Parents are responsible for these.

3. It applies to schools in the canton where compulsory schooling requirements can be fulfilled, as well as to all students who fulfill the regular compulsory schooling here.

4. Students who fulfill the compulsory schooling requirement through private education are also subject to this regulation. In these cases, the Department of Education ensures the appropriate application and compliance with the following provisions of this regulation.

1. The rights and obligations of the school authorities established in this regulation are exercised for school offerings not provided by a school district through the following bodies

a) at St. Antonius Gymnasium by the Department of Education;

b) at private schools by the sponsoring body;

c) in the case of private tutoring by the Department of Education.

1. The school authority provides for school medical and school dental services for its school or educational offerings. It may delegate execution tasks.

2. It ensures that all children are examined in accordance with the provisions of this regulation.

3. It proposes to the Department of Health and Social Services (hereinafter referred to as the Department) at least one person for selection as the school doctor. Eligible for selection are general practitioners or pediatricians with a license to practice in the canton.

4. It proposes to the Department at least one person for selection as the school dentist. Eligible for selection are dentists with a license to practice in the canton.

1. The department determines the content and scope of the school medical and dental examinations.

2. It may issue directives to the school authorities on health promotion and prevention after consultation with the Primary Education Office.

3. It selects school physicians and school dentists upon the recommendation of the school authorities.

4. It exercises supervision over the school medical and dental services.

1. The school authorities, teachers, and auxiliary personnel of the school medical and school dental services are subject to confidentiality obligations concerning sensitive data that comes to their knowledge in connection with the school medical and school dental services.

1. The School Authority provides the Department with an annual summary report on the conduct of preventative health examinations in schools.

1. General Medical Preventive Examinations are compensated by the school municipalities or by other school authorities in accordance with a tariff issued by the department.

2. The costs of specialized eye examinations are covered by the school municipalities or by other school authorities.

3. School dental preventive examinations and prophylactic school dental care measures are covered by the school municipalities or by other school authorities according to the school dental care tariff of the Swiss Dental Society (SSO) or according to the tariff under the Federal Law on Accident Insurance of March 20, 1981 (UVG).

1. The school authority is responsible for conducting school medical examinations and may implement additional health-promoting or preventive measures for the students.

1. The School Doctor

a) Advises schools on school-related health issues upon request;

b) Serves as a trust physician for schools when needed;

c) Can support schools in health promotion and prevention measures;

d) Conducts school medical examinations;

e) Examines students upon the school administration's order in cases of suspected child abuse; parental consent is not required for this.

1. Teachers participate in the organization and implementation of school medical measures.

2. They are required to

1. Report observations of students that may indicate illness or a physical anomaly to the parents and, if necessary, to the school administration;

2. Report perceptions of possible child welfare risks, such as abnormal psychological behavior, harmful influences from the social environment, signs of abuse or neglect, to the school administration.

1. The cantonal medical officer may, if necessary, advise the school doctors and support the schools on matters of school health.

1. Pupils in the first year of primary school and in the second class of secondary school shall undergo a school medical examination by January 31 of each year.

2. For pupils who move to the canton and cannot provide proof of a preventive examination as per paragraph 1, the school may order a corresponding school medical examination.

1. The extent of school medical examinations is determined by the department using mandatory examination forms.

2. The department provides the schools with the examination forms as well as additional informational materials.

1. The school authorities ensure the execution of school medical examinations for all students. They may arrange for series examinations by the school doctor or organize through private medical examinations. The choice of organizational form is the responsibility of the school authorities within the framework of this regulation and in consultation with the school doctor.

2. Schools must inform students and parents in advance about all planned examinations.

3. School medical examinations can be conducted during or outside of instructional time.

1. Parents have the right to have the school medical examinations of their children conducted by private doctors. Schools must inform parents of this option in a timely manner.

2. Private medical examinations must be carried out within the deadlines applicable to school medical examinations. If the medical examination is not conducted within the deadline and properly documented, the school authority will order an examination of the child by the school doctor.

3. Private medical examinations are to be conducted by general practitioners and pediatricians who have a Swiss license to practice their profession independently and with their own professional responsibility.

1. Schools ensure that parents who wish for a private medical examination receive a voucher for a free school medical examination and the mandatory examination form at an early stage. The department provides sample vouchers to the schools.

2. The vouchers for privately conducted school medical check-ups of the children are only valid within the deadlines applicable for school medical examinations.

3. The private physician accounts for the voucher to the competent school authority by the end of February at the latest.

1. School physicians and private physicians record the results of the mandatory preventive examinations according to Art. 12 on the prescribed examination form. They inform the parents about the scope and the results of the examinations. They may suggest referrals to other school internal services to the parents and inform the school of results that are significant for the school and the instruction.

2. Parents inform the class teacher about results that are significant for the school and the instruction.

3. School physicians and private physicians send anonymized copies of the examination forms to the department.

4. School physicians and private physicians are responsible for the secure storage of the examination forms.

1. The school authorities offer students a routine eye examination by a specialized professional in the mandatory kindergarten year.

2. Participation is voluntary for students, but it is strongly recommended.

1. The Conditions for Specialized Eye Examinations

The conditions for specialized eye examinations with regard to responsibility for determining the scope of the examination, the use of the examination form, the duties to inform, as well as the handling of the examination results, are identical to those of general medical preventive examinations.

1. School Dental Care includes guidance on proper nutrition and appropriate dental care, as well as examinations of students' teeth.

2. The class teacher informs students about oral hygiene according to the department's instructions, teaches them proper dental care, and encourages continuous dental care.

3. For the purpose of prophylactic school dental care, the department may, after consulting with school authorities, hire a dental hygienist or other professionally qualified prophylaxis specialists.

4. Upon entering school, all students receive a free school dental care booklet, in which examination results and notes on oral and dental care are recorded. The school keeps the school dental care booklet until graduation.

1. The students' teeth shall be examined by the school dentist in the first, third, and sixth grades of primary school.

2. If treatment is deemed necessary, the parents shall be informed through an entry in the dental care booklet.

3. The school dental examinations shall be conducted either during or outside of class hours in the private practice premises of the school dentist.

4. Students may be exempted from the routine school dental examination if they present written confirmation of an examination conducted by a dentist who is licensed to practice independently in Switzerland.

1. The costs of dental treatments shall be borne by the parents. The competent commission may establish exceptions at the expense of the school districts.

1. The Cantonal Government may issue additional implementing provisions.

**1. This regulation shall enter into force on August 1, 2024.**