1st Dental looks ahead with confidence

DENTAL supplier 1st Dental Laboratories said today it will report “disappointing” annual results but it has ironed out problems in its business and is returning to profit.

The Harrogate-based group, which said last month that takeover talks which started in August had ended, is confident its underlying business is performing well.

1st Dental, which supplies equipment to dentists for crown and bridge and othodontic work, said that its results for the year to November 30 will reflect the “business disruptions” at its Stourport and Blackpool laboratories earlier this year but both had now returned to profit.

The group said that its online purchasing operation for dentists – eteeth – has shown an “impressive rate of growth” and is now delivering record-breaking monthly turnover.

Chief executive Andrew Garner said: “We remain confident in the underlying business with many units performing well with  some branches showing continued growth especially in the Midlands and Yorkshire areas.

“We are looking forward to further increases in performance throughout 2009 with a planned expansion of product range and resources.”

Mr Garner said the company has a new seven-strong sales force to help grow business and managing director Nigel Spring has put in place further plans to deliver top-line growth.

Director John Hayhurst is stepping down from the board at the end of the year.

1st Dental will announce its full-year results on February 11.