SafeGuard Expects $19-Million Quarterly Loss

SafeGuard Health Enterprises Inc. said Tuesday it expects to report a fourth-quarter loss of up to $19 million, stemming largely from discontinuing general and orthodontic dental offices, eliminating employees and lowering the value of its former headquarters in Anaheim, which the company is selling.

The Aliso Viejo-based dental health plan operator said its losses for the quarter should range between $16 million and $19 million, or $3.40 to $4 a share.

A year ago, the company earned $6.14 million, or 12 cents a share, on sales of $24.4 million.