From a historical point of view it was the federal tuberculosis law of 1928 which gave an impulse to the Swiss School health services. Almost simultaneously a psychological service for school children was established in Basle. Besides physicians and psychologists, the present staff comprises speech pathologists and scientific coworkers. The mandate issued by the canton's government is mostly geared toward prevention of somatic, psychological and social disorders in the individual child and in risk groups, in the sense of social pediatrics. Carrying out this mandate requires a unity of investigation methods and the decisions resulting from findings. The statistical evaluation of epidemiological data depends on efficient computer use. High priority is given to data protection. With reference to the basic possibilities and limitations of activities in preventive medicine, questions of goals, acceptability and acceptance, curability and cost-benefit are discussed. The competitive situation between therapy and prevention is critically considered. An interdisciplinary approach including all the helping professions is strongly suggested.