EX-99.1 3 doc2.txt EXHIBIT 99.1 95 Enterprise, Suite 100 SAFEGUARD Aliso Viejo, California 92656-2605 DENTAL & VISION 949.425.4300 CONTACT: DENNIS L. GATES SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (949) 425-4531 SAFEGUARD ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR-END RESULTS ALISO VIEJO, CALIFORNIA (APRIL 14, 2004) - SafeGuard Health Enterprises, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: SFGD) today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2003. In commenting on the 2003 results, James E. Buncher, SafeGuard's president and chief executive officer, said, "We are pleased with the progress we made during 2003, and believe our momentum will continue in 2004. The fourth quarter of 2003 included two months of combined results from our acquisition of Health Net Dental and Vision. Results for the fourth quarter of 2003 were also positively affected by fewer workdays during November and December due to the holidays and the way weekends fell on the calendar, resulting in lower than normal claims costs for the two months of combined operations. We expect the first quarter of 2004 to return to a more normal pattern of claims costs and continue to believe the Health Net acquisition will result in revenue and earnings growth by the Company. We continue to pursue our going private transaction and will be filing an amended Information Statement with the SEC which includes the 2003 results." Revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2003, was $36.8 million, compared with $21.5 million for the same period in 2002, an increase of 71%. The Company reported income before income taxes of $1.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2003, compared with $0.3 million for the same period last year. The Company recognized an income tax benefit of $5.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2003, which was primarily due to a decrease in the valuation allowance against the Company's net deferred tax assets. The net deferred tax assets had been fully reserved since 1999. The valuation allowance was decreased because the Company determined that, based on its recent profitability and future outlook, it is more likely than not that the Company will realize substantially all of its net deferred tax assets. The Company reported net income of $6.3 million, or $0.14 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2003, compared with net income of $1.1 million, or $0.03 per share, for the same period last year. Income before income taxes was $0.03 per share for the fourth quarter of 2003, compared to $0.01 per share for the same period in 2002. Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2003, was $104.9 million, compared with $83.0 million for the same period in 2002, an increase of 26%. There was an income tax benefit of $4.8 million during 2003, which was primarily due to a decrease in the valuation allowance against the Company's net deferred tax assets, as discussed above. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2003, was $7.8 million, or $0.20 per share, compared with net income of $1.4 million, or $0.04 per share, for the same period last year. SafeGuard Health Enterprises, Inc. is committed to the dental and vision business, with nearly 30 years experience. The Company provides dental and vision HMO, PPO, indemnity and ASO products to approximately 1.5 million members primarily in California, Florida and Texas. For more information, visit SafeGuard's web site at www.safeguard.net. ----------------- SafeGuard notes that statements contained in this news release that are not based on historical facts are forward-looking statements, and as such, are subject to uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied by such statements. These risks, contingencies and uncertainties, many of which are beyond SafeGuard's control, include those risk factors that are set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30, and September 30, 2003, and the Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K, all on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

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SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES INC 8-K