Increase in Patients Helps Boost Safeguard’s Profits

Safeguard Health Enterprises, a pre-paid dental plan provider that relocated from Whittier to Anaheim last week, reported increased profits and revenues for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30.

The company, which analysts say is breaking new ground with its dental version of the health maintainence organization, posted third quarter earnings of $865,000, up 27% from $680,000 a year earlier. Revenues increased 50% to $12.8 million, from $8.5 million a year ago.

Earnings for the nine months were $2.4 million, up 33% compared with $1.8 million during 1984. Revenues topped $36.4 million, up 53% from $23.7 million last year.

The improved performance in 1985 is the result of substantial increases in the number of patients participating in the Safeguard dental plan, said Ronald Brendzel, vice president.

During the nine-month period, he said, Safeguard’s patient base grew to 635,000 people, a 35% increase from 470,000 at the end of last year.

For the year, Brendzel predicts earnings of about $3.5 million on projected revenues of $47 million to $49 million. During 1984, the company earned $2.5 million on revenues of $33.2 million.