SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES INC
10-Q, 1997-08-14
HOSPITAL & MEDICAL SERVICE PLANS
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<PAGE>
 
                                 UNITED STATES

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 10-Q
                                        
                                        
(Mark One)

            [X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                                        

                 For the quarterly period ended June 30, 1997

                                       OR

            [_]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                For the transition period from _____  to  _____

                        Commission file number   0-12050
                                        
                       SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                                        


          Delaware                                       52-1528581
(State or other jurisdiction                (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 of incorporation)  

                            505 NORTH EUCLID STREET
                           ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA 92801
                    (Address of principal executive offices)
                                   (Zip Code)

                                 (714) 778-1005
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                      NONE
   (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
                                    report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                              Yes  X    No 
                                  ---      ---

The number of shares outstanding of registrant's common stock, par value $.01
per share, at June 30, 1997, was 4,716,832 shares (not including 3,274,788
shares of common stock held in treasury).

                                  Page 1 of 13
<PAGE>
 
                       SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                   FORM 10-Q

                      FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 1997

                         INFORMATION INCLUDED IN REPORT
                                        
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                                      Page
                                                                      ----
<S>                                                                   <C>
Part I.    FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.    Financial Statements
 
                Consolidated Statements of Financial Position           3
 
                Consolidated Statements of Income                       4
 
                Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                   5
 
                Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements              6
 
Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
            Condition and Results of Operations                         8
 
Part II.   OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.    Legal Proceedings                                           10
 
Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders         10
 
Item 5.    Other Information                                           11
 
Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8K                             12
 
SIGNATURES                                                             13
 
</TABLE>

                                  Page 2 of 13
<PAGE>
 
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Consolidated Financial Statements


                       SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
                       (000's omitted, except share data)
                                        
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                            June 30, 1997       December 31, 1996
                                                                            -------------       -----------------
                                                                            (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                         <C>                 <C>
ASSETS   
Current assets:                     
   Cash                                                                       $ 1,612                 $    706
   Investments available for sale, at estimated fair value                      4,688                    6,420
   Investments held to maturity, at cost                                        1,599                    2,681
   Accounts and notes receivable, net of allowances of $547 in 1997
    and $531 in 1996                                                            8,982                    6,375
   Income taxes receivable                                                        121                       44
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                    1,430                    1,110
   Deferred income taxes                                                          165                      165
   Net assets of discontinued operations                                        7,076                    6,250
                                                                              -------                  -------
               Total current assets                                            25,673                   23,751
                                                                              -------                   ------
   Property and equipment, net                                                 10,256                   11,841
   Investments held to maturity, at amortized cost                              3,611                    3,631
   Notes receivable -- long-term                                                8,447                    3,125
   Other assets                                                                   335                      231
   Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $437 in 1997 and $134
    in 1996                                                                    29,868                   21,786
   Intangibles and covenants not to compete, net of accumulated
    amortization of $1,824 in 1997 and $1,431 in 1996                           4,246                    3,751
                                                                              -------                  -------
               Total assets                                                   $82,436                  $68,116
                                                                              =======                  =======

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                                      
Current liabilities:                                                                                      
   Current portion of long-term debt                                          $ 5,875                  $ 2,000
   Current portion of note payable                                              1,692                    1,192
   Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                        4,196                    4,759
   Income taxes payable                                                             -                        -
   Reserves for incurred but not reported claims                                1,856                    3,130
   Deferred revenue                                                             1,325                      552
                                                                              -------                  -------
               Total current liabilities                                       14,944                   11,633
                                                                              -------                  -------
                                                                                                         
Long-term debt                                                                 24,625                   17,000
Note payable                                                                    1,990                    2,086
Deferred income taxes                                                           2,787                    1,784
Accrued compensation agreement                                                    401                      413
Stockholders' equity                                                                                      
  Preferred stock - $.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized;                                            
   no shares issued or outstanding                                                  -                        -
  Common stock $.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized;                                                
   4,707,000 in 1997 and in 1996 shares outstanding, stated at                 21,255                   21,255
  Retained earnings                                                            34,631                   32,165
  Net unrealized loss on investment securities available for sale, net of                                   
   deferred taxes                                                                 (74)                     (97)
  Treasury stock, at cost                                                     (18,123)                 (18,123)
                                                                               -------                 -------
               Total stockholders' equity                                      37,689                   35,200
                                                                              -------                  -------
                                                                              $82,436                  $68,116
                                                                              =======                  =======
</TABLE> 
          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                  Page 3 of 13
<PAGE>
 
                       SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                  (Unaudited)
                     (000's omitted, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                      Three months ended               Six months ended
                                                                           June 30,                          June 30,
                                                                      ------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        1997          1996                1997        1996
                                                                        ----          ----                ----      --------
<S>                                                                   <C>          <C>                  <C>         <C>
Revenues                                                              $ 25,610     $ 19,447             $ 50,663    $ 37,982

Expenses 
     Health care services                                               17,132       14,592               34,130      28,713
     Selling, general and administrative                                 6,104        3,388               11,853       6,655
                                                                       -------     --------             --------    --------
               Total expenses                                           23,236       17,980               45,983      35,368
                                                                       -------     --------             --------    --------
Operating income                                                         2,374        1,467                4,680       2,614
                                                                          
Other income                                                               395          319                  693         539
Interest expense                                                          (627)           -               (1,124)          -
                                                                       -------     --------             --------    --------
Income from continuing operations before provision for income
 taxes, cumulative effect and discontinued operations                    2,142        1,786                4,249       3,153
Provision for income taxes                                                 906          714                1,783       1,247
                                                                       -------     --------             --------    --------
Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of
 a change in accounting principle and discontinued operations            1,236        1,072                2,466       1,906
                                                                          
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of
 income taxes of $536 in 1996                                                -            -                    -         824
                                                                       -------     --------             --------    --------

Income before discontinued operations                                    1,236        1,072                2,466       2,730
                                                                          
Discontinued operations:
 Loss from dental office operations to be disposed of (net
 of after tax deferred loss of $608 and $1,018 in 1997 and
 net of income tax benefits of $377 and $880 in 1997 and
 $272 and $538 in 1996)                                                   (566)        (426)              (1,320)       (842)
 Gain on disposal of dental practices (net of income taxes
  of $377 and $880 in 1997 and $0 in 1996)                                 566            -                1,320           -
                                                                       -------     --------             --------    --------
Loss from discontinued operations                                            -         (426)                   -        (842)
                                                                       -------     --------             --------    --------
Net income                                                             $ 1,236     $    646             $  2,466    $  1,888
                                                                       =======     ========             ========    ========
Earning per share:
   Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect
    of a change in accounting principle and discontinued operations    $  0.25     $   0.22             $   0.50    $   0.38
   Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle                    0.00         0.00                 0.00        0.17
   Loss from discontinued operations                                      0.00        (0.09)                0.00       (0.17)
                                                                       -------     --------             --------    --------
   Net income                                                          $  0.25     $   0.13             $   0.50    $   0.38
                                                                       =======     ========             ========    ======== 
</TABLE>

          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                  Page 4 of 13
<PAGE>
 
                       SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                  (Unaudited)
                                (000's omitted)
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                                                Six months ended
                                                                                    June 30,
                                                                              --------------------
                                                                                 1997       1996
                                                                              ---------  ---------
<S>                                                                           <C>        <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income                                                                 $   2,466  $   1,888
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by
    operating activities:
   Loss from discontinued operations                                              2,183        843
   Gain on disposal of discontinued dental practices                             (2,183)         -
   Depreciation and amortization                                                  1,900        911
   Deferred income taxes                                                          1,003         46
Changes in operational assets and liabilities:
               Accounts and current notes receivable, net                        (2,055)      (308)
               Income taxes receivable                                              (77)        45
               Prepaid expenses and other current assets                             23       (114)
               Accounts payable and accrued expenses                               (563)    (1,358)
               Income taxes payable                                                   -        781
               Deferred revenue                                                     773        107
               Reserves for incurred but not reported claims                     (1,274)      (710)
                                                                              ---------  ---------
                    Net cash provided by continuing operations                    2,196      2,131
                    Net cash used in discontinued operations                     (3,878)    (1,860)
                                                                              ---------  ---------
                    Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities          (1,682)       271
                                                                              ---------  ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
   Purchase of investments available for sale                                    (2,862)    (8,485)
   Proceeds from sales/maturity of investments available for sale                 4,617      9,908
   Purchase of investments held to maturity                                         (10)    (4,040)
   Proceeds from maturity of investments held to maturity                         1,112      4,168
   Purchases of property and equipment                                           (1,120)    (1,011)
   Capital expenditures of discontinued operations                                 (394)    (1,353)
   Cash paid for business acquired                                               (1,043)         -
   Additions to intangibles and other assets                                       (104)         -
                                                                              ---------  ---------
                    Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities             196       (813)
                                                                              ---------  ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:                                                
   Proceeds from exercise of stock options                                            -         42
   Proceeds from long-term debt                                                   3,000          -
   Payments on accrued compensation agreement                                       (12)         -
   Payments on notes payable                                                       (596)         -
                                                                              ---------  ---------
                    Net cash provided by financing activities                     2,392         42
                                                                              ---------  ---------
Net increase (decrease) in cash                                                     906       (500)
Cash at beginning of period                                                         706        506
                                                                              ---------  ---------
Cash at end of period                                                         $   1,612  $       6
                                                                              =========  =========
Purchase of business acquired:
   Fair value of assets acquired                                              $  12,376  $       -        
   Less: cash acquired                                                             (905)         -
   Less: note payable issued                                                     (1,000)         -
   Less: long-term debt issued                                                   (8,500)        -
   Less: liabilities assumed                                                       (928)         -
                                                                              ---------  ---------
   Cash paid for business acquired                                            $   1,043  $       -
                                                                              =========  =========
</TABLE>

          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                  Page 5 of 13
<PAGE>
 
                       SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                        

Note 1:  Basis of Reporting
- ---------------------------


The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of Safeguard Health
Enterprises, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") for the quarter ended June
30, 1997, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles applicable to interim periods, and reflect all adjustments which are,
in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of results for
the interim periods.  The statements have been prepared in accordance with the
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, but omit certain
information and footnote disclosures necessary to present the statements in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  This information
should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and
Notes including Significant Accounting Policies, contained in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.  Management
believes that the disclosures herein are adequate to make the information
presented not misleading.  As described in Note 4 herein, the operating results
for the quarter ended June 30, 1997 have been restated to reflect the effect of
the discontinued operation of the general dental practices.

On January 1, 1996, the Company changed its method of recognizing revenues
relating to providing orthodontic health care services to the proportional
performance method.  This change in method of revenue recognition results in
revenues being recognized based on the ratio of costs incurred to total
estimated costs, which better matches revenues and expenses over the life of an
orthodontic contract.  Previously, the Company recognized revenue on a
contracted basis.  The Company believes this method provides for a better
matching of expenses to revenues over the life of each individual orthodontic
contract.  As of January 1, 1996, the company recorded a cumulative effect of
$824, net of taxes, for this change.

Note 2:  Stockholders' Equity and Earnings Per Share
- ----------------------------------------------------

Since October 1986, the Company's Board of Directors has, at various times,
authorized the repurchase of up to 4,510,888 shares of its common stock through
open market or private transactions.  As of  June 30, 1997, a total of 3,819,088
shares had been acquired at an average cost of $5.54 per share.  All shares
acquired prior to August 24, 1987, have been retired as required by California
law.  All shares acquired after the August 24, 1987 reincorporation in Delaware
are being held as treasury stock.  Earnings per share for the periods ended June
30, 1997 and 1996 were computed by dividing net income by 4,979,751 and
4,935,890 shares, respectively, which was the weighted average number of
outstanding common shares and common share equivalents (stock options) during
the respective periods.

Note 3:  Recent Accounting Pronouncements
- -----------------------------------------

In February 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 128 ("FAS 128"), Earnings Per Share, which becomes effective for fiscal
years ending after December 15, 1997.  FAS 128 specifies the computation,
presentation and disclosure requirements for earnings per share, and its
objective is to simplify the computation of earnings per share, and to make the
U.S. standard for computing earnings per share more compatible with the
standards of other countries.  The statement requires that all prior period
earnings per share data presented shall be restated.  The Company will adopt FAS
128 in fiscal year 1997 as required, and its adoption is not expected to have a
significant effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

Note 4:  Discontinued Operations
- --------------------------------

On October 21, 1996, the Company implemented a strategic plan to sell all of the
general dental practices owned by the Company ("General Practices").  Eleven
(11) of the General Practices were sold during the six months ended June 30,
1997.

                                  Page 6 of 13
<PAGE>
 
The assets of the General Practices sold, pursuant to the Company's plan,
consist primarily of accounts receivable, supply inventories and leasehold
improvements.  Each General Practice sold may also enter into a long-term
contract with the Company's newly formed practice management subsidiary, whereby
the Company will provide certain services to support the dentists in the
operation of their practices, including administrative support.  The Company has
retained the orthodontic practice in each of the General Practices.

On August 1, 1997, the Company sold all of the tangible assets of its remaining 
fifteen (15) general dental practices to Associated Dental Services, Inc. 
("Associated"). Under the terms of the sale, Associated paid an aggregate 
purchase price of $4.5 million for the assets, to be wholly financed by the 
Company pursuant to an 8.5%, thirty (30) year promissory note, secured by the 
assets sold. In addition, the Company shall provide Associated with a $1.0 
million line of credit for a period of up to eighteen (18) months. The Company 
has also entered into a management services agreement with Associated to provide
ongoing dental management services, including marketing and administrative 
support.

In a transaction related to Associated, the Company sold all of the intangible 
assets of its remaining fifteen (15) general dental practices to Pacific Coast 
Dental, Inc. ("Pacific"). Under the terms of the sale, the total purchase price 
paid by Pacific was $3.5 million, to be wholly financed by the Company pursuant
to an 8.5%, thirty (30) year promissory note, secured by the assets sold to 
Pacific.

The Company expects to realize a modest gain on the final disposal of the
discontinued operations that would offset the previous operating losses of the
General Practices during the phase-out period through August 1997. The final net
deferred gain will be recognized in the third quarter of 1997 with the
completion of the sale of all the General Practices.


Note 5:  Acquisition
- --------------------

On May 13, 1997, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding
shares of common stock of Advantage Dental HealthPlans, Inc., a privately-held
managed dental care company based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for a total value
of approximately $10.0 million, consisting of cash and debt. The acquisition
added more than 125,000 members to the Company's existing membership, and is
anticipated to contribute annualized revenues of over $6.0 million.


Note 6:  Subsequent Events
- --------------------------

On August 7, 1997, the Company completed the acquisition of all the outstanding 
shares of Consumers Life Insurance Company of North Carolina ("Consumers"), a 
privately held dental indemnity insurance company with licenses in sixteen (16) 
states. The Company purchased the licenses and obtained all of the statutory 
deposits held on behalf of Consumers for a cash payment of $3.2 million, and 
capitalized Consumers with a total capital and surplus of $5.0 million.

                                  Page 7 of 13
<PAGE>
 
Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
         of Operations
 
The following information should be read in conjunction with the attached
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                                          1997 versus 1996
                                                                          Six months ended 
                                                                             June 30,      
                                                                   --------------------------------
                                                                    Increase/               Percent
Results of operations (000's omitted)                              (Decrease)               Change 
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                <C>                   <C>
Health care revenues                                           
   Managed care revenues                                            $12,456                   36.7
   Orthodontic revenues                                                 225                    5.6
                                                                    -------                   ----
Total health care revenues                                          $12,681                   33.4
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Health care expenses
   Managed care expenses                                            $ 5,049                   19.3
   Orthodontic expenses                                                 368                   14.5
                                                                    -------                   ----   
Total health care expenses                                          $ 5,417                   18.9
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total selling, general and administrative expenses                  $ 5,198                   78.1
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other income                                                        $   154                   28.6
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest expense                                                    $ 1,124                    N/A
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations before cumulative effect of a
 change in accounting principle and discontinued operations         $   560                   29.4
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loss from discontinued operations, net of gain on sale of 
 general dental practices, net                                      $  (842)                (100.0)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                                          $   578                   30.4
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 

1997 Versus 1996
- ----------------

Health care revenues for the six months ended June 30, 1997 were $50,663 or a
33.4% increase on an increase of 43.2% in membership over the corresponding
period a year ago.  This increase included the impact on revenues and membership
for the acquisition of both First American Dental Benefits, Inc. ("First
American"), completed on September 27, 1996 and Advantage Dental HealthPlans
Inc. ("Advantage"), completed on May 13, 1997.  Excluding the impact of the two
acquisitions, revenues for the same period increased 15.2% on a 6.1% increase in
membership.  The revenue increases were attributable to growth in sales to new
clients, moderate price increases to renewing clients, and the sale of other
product offerings to existing clients.  Orthodontic revenues grew by 5.6% due to
an increase in the number of orthodontic cases over the prior year.

Health care expenses for the six months ended June 30, 1997 increased $5,417, or
18.9%.  Health care expense as a percentage of health care revenues improved by
8.2% from 75.6% of revenues for the six months ended June 30, 1996, to 67.4% for
the same period in 1997.  This was due primarily to improvements in managed care
expenses as a result of the effect of the acquisition of First American and the
acquisition in May 1997 of Advantage, both of which have lower health care costs
as a percent of revenues.  Additionally, the health care ratios were positively
impacted by improved control of costs and the impact of moderate price
increases.

General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 1997
increased $5,198, or 23.4% of revenue.  This was due primarily to the
acquisitions of First American and Advantage, both of which had a higher ratio
of general and administrative expenses to revenues than the Company had prior to
the acquisitions.  Additionally, goodwill expense of $693 related to the two
acquisitions is included in general and administrative expenses.  Excluding the
impact  of  the  acquisitions and  the  associated  goodwill  expense, the
ratio  of general and administrative expenses to

                                  Page 8 of 13
<PAGE>
 
revenues was 19.9% for the six months ended June 30, 1997 compared to 17.5% for
the corresponding period a year ago.  This was due primarily to increases in
telecommunications and computer network costs as well as increased management
staffing levels.

Other income increased 28.6% to $693 due to an increase in interest bearing
notes receivables.  Interest expense of $1,124 is a result of the borrowings
entered into for the acquisition of both First American and Advantage.

The operating results, net of taxes, of the discontinued general dental
practices for the six months ended June 30, 1997, reflect a net loss of $1,320,
net of an after tax deferred loss of $608.  This compares to a net after tax
loss of $842 for the same period in 1996.  This net loss was entirely offset by
an after tax gain of $1,320 on the sale of 11 general practices during the first
six months of 1997.

Net income for the six months ended June 30, 1997 was $2,466, which increased
from the same period in 1996 due to the above discussed factors.  Net income for
the same period in 1996 was $1,888, which included the cumulative effect, after
taxes, of $824 for the change in accounting principle adopted as of January 1,
1996.


Business Segment Information
- ----------------------------

The Company is engaged primarily in two distinct businesses; the operation of
managed care dental programs and the operation of orthodontic practices.
Summarized financial information by business segment is as follows (in $000's):

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                                                1997 versus 1996
                                                                                Six months ended
                                                                                    June 30,
                                                               --------------------------------------------------------
                                                                1997        Percent of         1996         Percent of
                                                               Amount         Revenue         Amount         Revenue
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                            <C>          <C>              <C>            <C>
Health care revenues
   Managed care revenues                                       $ 46,430         91.6         $ 33,974          89.4
   Orthodontic revenues                                           4,233          8.4            4,008          10.6
                                                               --------        -----         --------         -----
Total health care revenues                                     $ 50,663        100.0         $ 37,982         100.0
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Health care expenses
   Managed care expenses                                       $ 31,217         67.2         $ 26,168          77.0
   Orthodontic expenses                                           2,913         68.8            2,545          63.5
                                                               --------                      --------         -----
Total health care expenses                                     $ 34,130         67.4         $ 28,713          75.6
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Total Selling, General and Administrative Expenses             $ 11,853         23.4         $  6,655          17.5
</TABLE>
                                        

Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------

The Company's business has not been capital intensive.  The Company's
operational cash requirements have been met principally from operating cash flow
and this is expected to continue.

At June 30, 1997, the current ratio was 1.72 to 1.0.  The Company's net worth
was $37.7 million compared to $33.7 million a year earlier.  The Company had
$11.5 million of cash and investments as of June 30, 1997 compared to $16.8
million a year earlier.  The Company believes that income from operations,
together with the existing cash and investments on hand, its bank loan, and
other available sources of financing, should be adequate to meet operating
capital needs for the foreseeable future.

Impact of Inflation
- -------------------

Management believes that the Company's operations are not materially affected by
inflation.  The Company believes that a majority of its costs are capitated or
fixed in nature and are directly related to membership levels, and therefore
related to premium levels.

                                  Page 9 of 13
<PAGE>
 
Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The statements contained in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations concerning any future premium
pricing levels, future dental health care expense levels, the Company's ability
to control health care, selling, general and administrative expenses, and all
other statements that are not historical facts, are forward looking statements.
Actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking
statements, if any, which statements involve risks and uncertainties.  The
Company's ability to expand is affected by competition not only in benefit
program choices, but also the number of dental plan competitors in the markets
in which the Company operates.  Certain large employer groups and other
purchasers of commercial dental health care services, continue to demand minimal
premium rate increases, while limiting the number of choices offered to
employees.  In addition, securing cost effective contracts with dentists may
become more difficult in part due to the increased competition among dental
plans for dentist contracts.  The Company's profitability depends, in part, on
its ability to maintain effective control over health care costs, while
providing members with quality dental care.  Factors such as levels of
utilization of dental health care services, new technologies, specialists costs,
and numerous other external influences may effect the Company's operating
results.  The Company's expectations for the future are based on current
information and evaluation of external influences.  Changes in any one factor
could materially impact the Company's expectations relating to premium rates,
benefit plans offered, membership growth, the percentage of health care
expenses, and as a result, profitability and therefore, effect the forward
looking statements which may be included in these reports.  In addition, past
financial performance is not necessarily a reliable indicator of future
performance.  An investor should not use historical performance alone to
anticipate future results or future period trends.

Part II.   Other Information

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

           The Company is a defendant in litigation arising in the normal course
           of business. In the opinion of management, the defense costs and/or
           ultimate outcome of such litigation is covered by insurance or will
           not have material effect on the Company's financial position or
           results of operations.

Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

           The Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") of the
           Company was held on May 22, 1997, at the Company's Executive Offices
           in Anaheim, California. The following matters were addressed at the
           meeting:

           1.  ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
           William E. McKenna and John E. Cox were duly elected to the Board of
           Directors as Class I Directors at the Annual Meeting for a three (3)
           year term. Steven J. Baileys, D.D.S., Ronald I. Brendzel, J.D.,
           Michael M. Mann, Ph.D., George H. Stevens and Bradford M. Boyd,
           D.D.S., are directors whose terms of office continued after the
           Annual Meeting.

           The votes of holders of 4,134,799 shares of the Company's common
           stock were cast "FOR" the election of Mr. McKenna and the votes of
           holders of 4,134,899 shares of the Company's common stock were cast
           "FOR" the election of Mr. Cox. The votes of holders of 151,100 shares
           of common stock were cast to "WITHHOLD" the election of Mr. McKenna,
           and the votes of holders of 151,000 shares of common stock were cast
           to "WITHHOLD" the election of Mr. Cox. The votes "FOR" represents
           approximately 87.7% and 93.8% of all shares of common stock
           outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, and of all
           shares voting at the Annual Meeting, respectively.


           2.  APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPANY'S STOCK OPTION PLAN

           This Proposal sought approval of Amendments to the Company's Stock
           Option Plan which would provide for an increase in the number of
           shares of common stock issuable thereunder, the extension

                                 Page 10 of 13
<PAGE>
 
          of the term of the Stock Option Plan through December 31, 2007, and
          other technical changes.

          The votes of holders of 2,852,825 shares of the Company's common stock
          were cast "FOR" the Amendments to the Company's Stock Option Plan and
          votes of holders of 1,299,975 shares of the Company's Common Stock
          were "AGAINST" the Amendments to the Company's Stock Option Plan.  The
          votes "FOR" represent 60.5% and 68.9% of all shares of common stock
          outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting, and of all
          shares voting at the Annual Meeting, respectively.

Item 5.   Other Information

          On August 7, 1997, SafeGuard Health Enterprises, Inc., a Delaware
          corporation ("Enterprises" or the "Company"), completed the
          acquisition of all the issued and outstanding shares of Consumers Life
          Insurance Company of North Carolina, a Texas corporation
          ("Consumers"), which is a privately-held, dental indemnity insurance
          company licensed to operate in the States of Alabama, Arizona,
          Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana,
          Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee,
          Texas and Virginia. Pursuant to that certain Stock Purchase Agreement
          dated March 6, 1997, by and between Consumers' parent corporation,
          Consumers Life Insurance Company, a Delaware corporation, and
          Enterprises, Enterprises purchased all of the Consumers shares and
          licenses, and obtained all of the statutory deposits held on behalf of
          Consumers in sixteen (16) states in which Consumers is licensed for a
          cash payment of $3,248,630, and capitalized the Company with total
          capital and surplus of $4,966,000.  The value of deposits and licenses
          purchased was determined based upon the market value of the deposits
          and the going rate value of life and health insurance licenses of
          insurance companies of similar size and states of licensure.

          The acquisition of Consumers by Enterprises was subject to Consumers
          being redomesticated from the State of North Carolina to the State of
          Texas, and the Texas Department of Insurance's approval of the
          acquisition of control of Consumers by Enterprises.  By Order dated
          May 13, 1997, the State of North Carolina Department of Insurance
          approved the redomestication of Consumers from the State of North
          Carolina to the State of Texas.  By Order dated May 23, 1997, the
          Commissioner of Insurance of the State of Texas approved the
          redomestication of Consumers from the State of North Carolina to the
          State of Texas.  On July 7, 1997, the Texas Department of Insurance
          approved the acquisition of Consumers by Enterprises.

          On October 21, 1996, Enterprises announced its plans to sell the
          "staff model" general dental practices of its subsidiary, Guards
          Dental, Inc., a California corporation ("Guards").  Subsequent to the
          date of such announcement, Guards sold seventeen (17) of its general
          dental practices by July 31, 1997.

          On August 1, 1997, Guards sold all of the tangible non-orthodontic
          related assets of its remaining fifteen (15) general dental practices
          ("Remaining Practices"), to Associated Dental Services, Inc., a
          California corporation ("Associated"), pursuant to that certain Dental
          Practice Asset Purchase Agreement (the "Associated Purchase
          Agreement"), dated August 1, 1997, by and between Guards and
          Associated.  Under the terms of the Associated Purchase Agreement,
          Associated paid an aggregate purchase price of Four Million Five
          Hundred Thousand Dollars ($4,500,000) for the transferred assets, to
          be wholly financed by Guards pursuant to an 8.5%, thirty (30) year
          negotiable promissory note in the principal amount of $4,500,000,
          secured by the assets sold to Associated by Guards.  The amount of
          consideration paid for the Assets was determined based on the book
          value of the Assets according to Guards.  In addition, pursuant to the
          Associated Purchase Agreement, Enterprises shall provide Associated
          with a One Million Dollar ($1,000,000) line of credit for a period of
          up to eighteen (18) months, commencing on August 1, 1997.  Finally, as
          required by the Associated Purchase Agreement, Associated has entered
          into that certain Management Services Agreement dated August 1, 1997,
          with Enterprises' newly formed practice management subsidiary,
          Imprimis Practice Management Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation
          ("Imprimis"), whereby Imprimis will provide ongoing dental management
          services to support the dentists in the operation of the dental
          practices relating to the Remaining Practices, including marketing and
          administrative support.

                                 Page 11 of 13
<PAGE>
 
          In a transaction related to the transactions represented by the
          Associated Purchase Agreement, Guards sold all of the non-orthodontic
          Remaining Practices and all of the intangible non-orthodontic assets
          related to the Remaining Practices to Pacific Coast Dental, Inc., a
          California corporation ("Pacific"), pursuant to that certain Dental
          Practices Purchase Agreement (the "Pacific Purchase Agreement"), dated
          August 1, 1997, by and between Guards and Pacific.  Under the terms of
          the Pacific Purchase Agreement, the total purchase price paid by
          Pacific to Guards for the transferred assets was Three Million Five
          Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,500,000), to be wholly financed by Guards
          pursuant to an 8.5%, thirty (30) year negotiable promissory note in
          the principal amount of $3,500,000 secured by the assets sold to
          Pacific by Guards.  Enterprises shall retain and currently intends to
          operate the orthodontic practices in each of the Remaining Practices.
          The amount of consideration paid for the intangible and non-
          orthodontic assets was determined based upon the book value of such
          assets according to Guards.

          On August 5, 1997, Enterprises announced that it had completed the
          sale of its thirty-two (32) Guards general dental practices for an
          aggregate value of $17.5 Million.  The Guards offices were originally
          established primarily for the purposes of supplementing, where needed,
          plan coverage provided by independent panel offices.  Enterprises
          retained its related orthodontic business.



ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

           (a)  Exhibits /1/

           2.1  Plans of Acquisition.
           3.1  Article of Incorporation****
           3.2  Bylaws****
          10.1  1984 Stock Option Plan***
          10.2  Stock Option Plan Amendment*
          10.3  Stock Option Plan Amendment+
          10.4  Stock Option Plan Amendment++
          10.5  Amended Stock Option Plan...
          10.6  Corporation Grant Deed, dated December 21, 1984, relating to a
                property located at 505 North Euclid Avenue, Anaheim,
                California**
          10.7  Employment Agreement, as Amended, dated May 25, 1995, between 
                Steven J. Baileys, D.D.S. and the Company+++
          10.8  Employment Agreement, as Amended, dated May 25, 1995, between 
                Ronald I. Brendzel and the Company+++
          10.9  Employment Agreement dated May 25, 1995, between John E. Cox and
                the Company+++
          10.10 Employment Agreement dated May 25, 1995, between Wayne K. Butts
                and the Company+++
          10.11 Form of Rights Agreement, dated as of March 22, 1996, between
                the Company and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, as
                Rights Agent+++
          10.12 Employment Agreement dated January 5, 1997, between Herb J.
                Kaufman, D.D.S. and the Company...
          10.13 Credit Agreement dated September 25, 1996, between Bank of
                America National Trust and Savings Association and the
                Company..
          10.14 Stock Purchase Agreement between Consumers Life Insurance
                Company and SafeGuard Health Enterprises, Inc. dated March 6,
                1997
          10.15 Purchase Agreement between Associated Dental Services, Inc. and
                Guards Dental, Inc. dated August 1, 1997
          10.16 Purchase Agreement between Pacific Coast Dental, Inc. and Guards
                Dental, Inc. dated August 1, 1997
          18.0  Independent Auditors' Preferability Letter for Change in 
                Accounting Method...
          21.1  Subsidiaries of the Company...
          27.1  Financial Data Schedule...

          (b)  Reports on Form 8-K

          Reports on Form 8-K were filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission on May 28, 1997. The Report on Form 8-K mentioned in this Item 6, is 
hereby incorporated herein to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period 
ended June 30, 1997, as if entirely set forth herein.
- ----------------

*      Incorporated by reference herein to the exhibit of the same number filed
       as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed
       on September 12, 1983 (File No. 2-86472).
**     Incorporated by reference herein to the exhibit of the same number filed
       as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed
       on August 22, 1985 (File No. 2-99663).
***    Incorporated by reference herein to the exhibit of the same number filed
       as an exhibit to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed
       on July 3, 1984 (File No. 2-92013).
****   Incorporated by reference herein to the exhibit of the same number filed
       as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report of Form 10-K for the period 
       ended December 31, 1987.
+      Incorporated by reference herein to the exhibit of the same number filed
       as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report of Form 10-K for the period 
       ended December 31, 1989.
++     Incorporated by reference herein to the exhibit of the same number filed
       as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report of Form 10-K for the period 
       ended December 31, 1992.
+++    Incorporated by reference herein to the exhibit of the same number filed
       as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report of Form 10-K for the period 
       ended December 31, 1995.
 .      Incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit D filed as an exhibit to the 
       Company's Report on Form 8-K dated September 27, 1996.
 ..     Incorporated by reference herein to Exhibit E filed as an exhibit to the 
       Company's Report on Form 8-K dated September 27, 1996.
 ...    Incorporated by reference herein to the exhibit of the same number filed
       as an exhibit to the Company's Annual Report of Form 10-K for the period 
       ended December 31, 1996.


____________________
/1/ Enterprises agrees to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission,
    upon request, a copy of the exhibits to the exhibits listed above.


                                 Page 12 of 13


<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) or the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Anaheim,
State of California, on the 14th of August, 1997.

                                 SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES, INC.

                                 By: STEVEN J. BAILEYS, D.D.S.
                                     --------------------------
                                     STEVEN J. BAILEYS, D.D.S.,
                                     Chairman, and
                                     Chief Executive Officer


                                 By: THOMAS C. TEKULVE
                                     ------------------
                                     THOMAS C. TEKULVE,
                                     Vice President and
                                     Chief Financial Officer



                                 Page 13 of 13

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1997
<CASH>                                           1,612
<SECURITIES>                                     6,287
<RECEIVABLES>                                    8,982
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                25,673
<PP&E>                                          10,256
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  82,436
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           14,944
<BONDS>                                         24,625
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                        21,255
<OTHER-SE>                                      34,631
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    82,436
<SALES>                                         25,610
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                     0
<CGS>                                           17,132
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   23,236
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 6,104
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 627
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,142
<INCOME-TAX>                                       906
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,236
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,236
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .25
        

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1
================================================================================


                           STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                                    between

                       CONSUMERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                 Camp Hill, PA

                                      and
 
                      SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES, INC.
                                  Anaheim, CA

                           Dated as of March 6, 1997


================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 


<S>                                                                       <C> 
ARTICLE I   PURCHASE OF STOCK............................................ 1
    Section 1.1  Purchase of Stock....................................... 1
    Section 1.2  Purchase Price for Stock................................ 1
    Section 1.3  Undertaking of Seller .................................. 2
    Section 1.4  Undertaking of Seller and Buyer ........................ 2
    Section 1.5  Efforts to Close........................................ 2

ARTICLE II  CLOSING; EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION ..................... 3
    Section 2.1  Closing ................................................ 3
    Section 2.2  Termination ............................................ 3

ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER .................... 3
    Section 3.1  Organization and Good Standing of Seller................ 3
    Section 3.2  Organization and Good Standing of Consumers NC.......... 3
    Section 3.3  Proper Corporate Action ................................ 4
    Section 3.4  Absence of Conflicting Laws or Agreements .............. 4
    Section 3.5  Financial Statements.................................... 4
    Section 3.6  Litigation.............................................. 5
    Section 3.7  Capitalization.......................................... 5
    Section 3.8  No Liabilities.......................................... 5
    Section 3.9  Title to Assets ........................................ 5
    Section 3.10 Reinsured Policies ..................................... 5
    Section 3.11 Disclosure.............................................. 6

ARTICLE IV  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER...................... 6 
    Section 4.1  Organization and Good Standing.......................... 6
    Section 4.2  Proper Corporate Action ................................ 6
    Section 4.3  Absence of Conflicting Laws or Agreements .............. 6
    Section 4.4  Disclosure.............................................. 6

ARTICLE V   COVENANT .................................................... 7
    Section 5.1  Access and Information.................................. 7
    Section 5.2  Covenants of Seller..................................... 7
    Section 5.3  Exclusive Dealing ...................................... 7

ARTICLE VI  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING.............................. 8 
    Section 6.1  Conditions Precedent to Buyer's Obligation to Close .... 8
    Section 6.2  Conditions Precedent to Seller's Obligation to Close.... 9

</TABLE> 

                                       i
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                                       <C> 
ARTICLE VII  SURVIVAL AND INDEMNIFICATION ............................... 10
    Section 7.1  Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants... 10
    Section 7.2  Indemnity by Seller .................................... 10
    Section 7.3  Indemnity by Buyer...................................... 10
    Section 7.4  Notice to Indemnify .................................... 10
    Section 7.5  Retention of Rights .................................... 11
 
ARTICLE VIII ARBITRATION ................................................ 11
    Section 8.1  Arbitration ............................................ 11
    Section 8.2  Procedure .............................................. 12
 
ARTICLE IX  MISCELLANEOUS ............................................... 12
    Section 9.1  Exhibits................................................ 12
    Section 9.2  Expenses................................................ 12
    Section 9.3  Contents of Agreement; Parties in Interest.............. 12
    Section 9.4  Further Documents ...................................... 13
    Section 9.5  Execution .............................................. 13
    Section 9.6  Effect of Table of Contents; 
                   Use of Descriptive Headings; Etc. .................... 13
    Section 9.7  Notices................................................. 13
    Section 9.8  Governing Law........................................... 14
    Section 9.9  Section 338(h)(10) Election............................. 14
    Section 9.10 Records; Taxes.......................................... 15
    Section 9.11 No Third Party Beneficiaries............................ 15
</TABLE>

                                      ii
<PAGE>
 
                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

  THIS STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is made this 6th day of March,
1997, by and between CONSUMERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, a Delaware corporation
having its principal place of business located in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
(hereinafter referred to as "Seller"), and SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES, INC., a
Delaware corporation having its principal place of business located in Anaheim,
California (hereinafter referred to as "Buyer").
 
                                  WITNESSETH:

  WHEREAS, Seller owns all of the outstanding capital stock (the "Stock") of
Consumers Life Insurance Company of North Carolina, a North Carolina corporation
("Consumers NC"); and
 
  WHEREAS, Buyer desires to purchase the Stock and Seller desires to sell the
Stock on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
 
  NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants,
representations, warranties, conditions and agreements set forth herein, and
intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties hereto agree as follows:
 
                                   ARTICLE I
                               PURCHASE OF STOCK

Section 1.1  Purchase of Stock
             -----------------

  At Closing, Seller shall sell, assign, convey, transfer and deliver to Buyer
and Buyer shall purchase and accept the Stock. Seller shall deliver to Buyer the
Stock free and clear of all liens, claims, charges, pledges, security interests
or other encumbrances of any nature whatsoever, duly endorsed in negotiable form
or with stock powers duly executed in blank.
 
Section 1.2  Purchase Price for Stock
             ------------------------

  At Closing, Buyer shall pay to Seller by cashier's check or wire transfer, as
the Purchase Price for the Stock, an amount equal to (i) Consumers NC's
statutory capital and surplus on the Closing Date in accordance with the
methodology as set forth on Exhibit A, plus (ii) $416,000, which represents
$26,000 for the license for each of the 16 states in which Consumers NC is
authorized to conduct business (the "State Licenses"); provided however, that in
the event any of the State Licenses other than North Carolina and Texas are not
in good standing or are in any way impaired on the Closing Date, such shall not
constitute a breach of the organization and good standing representation and
warranty contained in Section 3.2 hereof, and the Purchase Price shall be
reduced by an amount equal to $26,000 for the number of such impaired State
Licenses. At Closing, Buyer shall be responsible for contributing any additional
amounts to the statutory capital and surplus in order to maintain each of the
State Licenses.
<PAGE>
 
Section 1.3  Undertaking of Seller
             ---------------------

     Seller agrees to complete the following at or prior to Closing:

     (a) Reinsure on an indemnity basis all of the credit insurance policies of
     Consumers NC which have not been previously reinsured, together with all
     liabilities relating thereto, to American Republic Insurance Company under
     the terms and conditions of a reinsurance agreement, as amended, attached
     hereto as Exhibit B (the "Credit Reinsurance Agreement"),

     (b) Reinsure on an indemnity basis all of the ordinary life insurance
     policies of Consumers NC which have not been previously reinsured, together
     with all liabilities relating thereto, to Seller under the terms and
     conditions of a reinsurance agreement attached hereto as Exhibit C (the
     "Ordinary Reinsurance Agreement"),

     (c) Cause Consumers NC to distribute to Seller all of its assets, except
     for those assets which are required to remain as assets of Consumers NC,
     pursuant to Section 6.1(g) hereof, including without limitation assets on
     deposit with various state insurance departments and the investment income
     due and accrued on such assets,

     (d) Assume all of the liabilities of Consumers NC which were not reinsured
     pursuant to (a) above, and

     (e) Terminate all contracts of Consumers NC, including all management
     contracts between Seller and Consumers NC, except for the reinsurance
     agreements listed on Exhibit D to this Agreement.

Section 1.4  Undertaking of Seller and Buyer
             -------------------------------
         At or prior to Closing, Seller and Buyer agree to take all actions
necessary to obtain approval (i) from the Texas Insurance Department and the
North Carolina Insurance Department for the redomestication of Consumers NC from
the State of North Carolina to the State of Texas, (ii) from the insurance
departments of each state in which Consumers NC is licensed which are necessary
so that such licenses are valid and in full force and effect after such
redomestication and the purchase by Buyer of the Stock, and (iii) of the change
in control of Consumers NC from the Texas Insurance Department required by
Section 5 of Article 21.49-1 of the Texas Insurance Laws (collectively, the
"Regulatory Approvals").
 
Section 1.5  Efforts to Close
             ----------------

         Seller and Buyer agree to use any and all good faith reasonable efforts
to obtain all required third party and governmental consents to the transactions
contemplated hereby and to cause each of the conditions precedent and
obligations of Buyer and Seller hereunder to be satisfied, all as quickly as
reasonably practical.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE II
                    CLOSING; EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION

Section 2.1  Closing
             -------

         The closing (the "Closing") shall take place at the offices of Seller,
on a mutually agreed day and time within ten (10) days after all of the
conditions precedent set forth in Article VI hereof are obtained or waived by
the appropriate party or parties. The actual date of the Closing shall be the
"Closing Date".
 
Section 2.2  Termination
             -----------

         This Agreement may be terminated (a) by the mutual written consent of
the parties, (b) by Buyer, if there has been a material misrepresentation or
breach of a warranty, covenant or other agreement by Seller contained herein,
(c) by Seller, if there has been a material misrepresentation or breach of a
warranty, covenant or other agreement by Buyer contained herein, or (d) by
either party if the Closing has not occurred by May 31, 1997, unless both
parties otherwise mutually agree in writing to extend such time period. In the
event of termination, this Agreement shall be null and void, without further
liability on the part of any party provided that such party made its
representations and warranties hereunder in good faith, used its reasonable,
best efforts to perform its obligations hereunder and, in the case of Seller,
did not violate the provisions contained in Section 5.3 hereof. Nothing
hereinabove contained shall preclude any party from obtaining specific
performance or any other equitable remedy otherwise available to it for any
breach hereof.
 
                                  ARTICLE III
                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

     Seller represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:
 
Section 3.1  Organization and Good Standing of Seller
             ----------------------------------------

         Seller is a corporation duly incorporated and validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. It has the corporate
legal capacity, power and authority to enter into and consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. This Agreement constitutes binding
and valid obligations of Seller. In addition, at Closing there will be no legal
impediments to proceeding with the transaction with respect to Seller. The
Closing will not cause a default or event of termination under any material
contract to which Seller is a party and all necessary third party consents have
been or will be obtained prior to Closing.
 
Section 3.2  Organization and Good Standing of Consumers NC
             ----------------------------------------------

         Consumers NC is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing in
good standing under the laws of the State of North Carolina, with full corporate
powers to own and operate its business and properties and to carry on its
business substantially as presently conducted by it. Except as otherwise
contemplated by this Agreement, Consumers NC is duly qualified, licensed and in
good standing as a domestic life insurance company in the State of North
Carolina and duly qualified, licensed and in good standing as a foreign life
insurance company in the states territories identified in Exhibit B
            

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
attached hereto, and neither the character of the properties owned or held nor
the nature of the businesses conducted by Consumers NC requires qualification in
any other state or jurisdiction. There is no action pending by any state
insurance department to suspend or revoke any license of Consumers NC. Consumers
NC is not a party to any supervisory order, memorandum of understanding or
similar arrangement nor has any such order or arrangement been threatened
against Consumers NC by any state insurance department. Consumers NC is not in
violation of its charter or bylaws or of any applicable federal or state law or
regulation. A copy of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of Consumers NC,
as amended to date, have been delivered to Buyer, and are true, correct and are
in full force and effect.

Section 3.3  Proper Corporate Action
             -----------------------

     The execution of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated herein
have been duly authorized by the Board of Directors of Seller and Seller has
delivered, or will deliver prior to or at Closing, to Buyer true, correct and
certified copies of the resolutions of Seller's Board of Directors authorizing
such transactions.

Section 3.4  Absence of Conflicting Laws or Agreements
             -----------------------------------------

     Subject to receiving any necessary third party consents and the Regulatory
Approvals, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by Seller
does not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this
Agreement will not, (i) contravene any provision of the Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws of Seller or Consumers NC; (ii) conflict with, result in
a breach of, or constitute a material default (or an event which would, with the
passage of time or the giving of notice or both, constitute a material default)
under, or give rise to a right to terminate, amend, modify, abandon or
accelerate, any material contract, agreement, lease, indenture, instrument or
license to which Seller or Consumers NC is a party or by which they or their
assets or properties may be bound or affected; (iii) violate or conflict with
any federal, state or local law, statute, rule, regulation, order, judgment or
decree; or (iv) result in or require the creation or imposition of any mortgage,
pledge, lien, security interest, claim, charge or encumbrance upon or with
respect to the assets of Seller or Consumers NC.

Section 3.5  Financial Statements
             --------------------

     Seller has delivered or will deliver to Buyer prior to Closing copies of
Consumers NC's statutory financial statements for the years ended December 31,
1995 and 1996 and any quarterly statutory financial statements for any
subsequent interim periods, as filed with the North Carolina Insurance
Department (collectively, the "Financial Statements"), prepared in accordance
with the books and records of Consumers NC and in accordance with statutory
accounting principles. Except for the Reinsurance Agreements listed on Exhibit C
to this Agreement, there are no material liabilities of Consumers NC, contingent
or otherwise of any nature whatsoever, which are not disclosed by or refected
fully in the Financial Statements. The Financial Statements fairly represent and
reflect in all material respects Consumers NC's statutory financial position and
its statutory results of operations for the respective periods presented. Since
September 30, 1996 there has been no material adverse change in the financial
position, business or operations of Consumers NC.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
Section 3.6  Litigation
             ----------

         There is no decree, judgment, order, action, suit, investigation or
claim or legal, administrative, arbitration or other proceeding pending or to
the knowledge of Seller threatened against Consumers NC, at law or in equity, by
or before any court or governmental agency, department or instrumentality or
arbitration board (i) which might materially affect the financial condition of
Consumers NC or the conduct of its business or (ii) which relate to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Consumers NC is not in default
under any judgment, decree or order of any court, arbitrator, or any
governmental or administrative agency against or affecting any of its assets or
businesses.
 
Section 3.7  Capitalization
             --------------

         The Stock constitutes all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of
Consumers NC. All of the shares of Stock are validly issued and outstanding,
fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by Seller, free and clear of any and
all liens and encumbrances. There is no existing option, warrant, call,
commitment or other agreement to which Consumers NC is a party, and there are no
convertible securities of Consumers NC outstanding which, upon conversion, would
require the issuance of any additional shares of capital stock of Consumers NC
or other securities convertible into shares of capital stock of Consumers NC.
Buyer, upon delivery and payment for the Stock as provided herein, will obtain
good and marketable title to the Stock, free and clear of any claim, lien,
pledge, option, charge or encumbrance, except for such as may have arisen, or
may arise, through the actions of Buyer.
 
Section 3.8  No Liabilities
             --------------

         At the time of the purchase of the Stock, Consumers NC will have no
liabilities or obligations of any nature, whether accrued, fixed, contingent or
otherwise, known or unknown and will not be party to any contracts other than
those specified in Section 1 .3(e) hereof Buyer will not, as a result of its
purchase of the Stock, incur or assume any liability of Consumers NC or Seller.
 
Section 3.9  Title to Assets
             ---------------

         Consumers NC has good and marketable title to all of the assets which
will remain as assets of Consumers NC, as provided in Section 1 .3(C) of this
Agreement. Such assets are free and clear of all liens, pledges and
encumbrances.
 
Section 3.10 Reinsured Policies
             ------------------

         At Closing, all policies reinsured under the Credit Reinsurance
Agreement shall conform to the underwriting guidelines established under the
Credit Reinsurance Agreement. In the event any policy does not conform to the
said underwriting guidelines, such policy shall be assumed by Seller in
accordance with Section 1.3(d).

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
Section 3.11  Disclosure
              ----------

         No representation or warranty by Seller nor any statement or
certificate furnished or to be furnished to Buyer pursuant hereto, or in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, contains or will contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omits or will omit to state a
material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein not misleading.
 
 
                                   ARTICLE IV
                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

     Buyer represents and warrants to Seller as follows:
 
Section 4.1  Organization and Good Standing
             ------------------------------

         Buyer is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware with full corporate powers to
own and operate its business and properties and to carry on its business
substantially as presently conducted.
 
Section 4.2  Proper Corporate Action

         Buyer has full corporate power to enter into and perform this
Agreement. This Agreement and the transactions contemplated to occur pursuant
thereto, have been duly authorized by Buyer's Board of Directors and no further
corporate action is required.
 
Section 4.3  Absence of Conflicting Laws or Agreements
             -----------------------------------------

         Subject to receiving any necessary third party consents and the
Regulatory Approvals, the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement
by Buyer, does not, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated in
this Agreement will not, (i) contravene any provision of the articles of
incorporation or bylaws of Buyer; (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of, or
constitute a material default (or an event which would, with the passage of time
or the giving of notice or both, constitute a material default) under, or give
rise to a right to terminate, amend, modify, abandon or accelerate, any material
contract, agreement, lease, indenture, instrument or license to which Buyer is a
party or by which its assets or properties may be bound or affected; or (iii)
violate or conflict with any federal, state or local law, statute, rule,
regulation, order, judgment or decree.
 
Section 4.4  Disclosure
             ----------

         No representation or warranty by Buyer nor any statement or certificate
furnished or to be furnished to Seller pursuant hereto, or in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby, contains or will contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omits or will omit to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements contained herein not misleading.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE V
                                   COVENANTS
 
Section 5.1  Access and Information
             ----------------------

          From and after the date of this Agreement and until Closing, Seller
shall give to Buyer and its representatives full access during normal business
hours to all of the properties, books, contracts, documents, and records of
Consumers NC and will furnish to Buyer all information with respect to the
affairs of Consumers NC as Buyer may from time to time reasonably request,
provided; however, that any furnishing of such information to Buyer and any
investigation by Buyer shall not effect the right of Buyer to rely upon the
representations and warranties made by Seller in or pursuant to this Agreement.
Buyer and its representatives shall treat all information originally obtained
from Seller and not otherwise known to Buyer or already in the public domain as
confidential; provided however, that nothing herein shall be construed to
prohibit Buyer from disclosing to any of its advisors any such information. If
this Agreement is not consummated, Buyer shall return all copies made by Buyer
and its representatives, of materials belonging to Seller. Seller shall treat as
confidential any and all information not otherwise in the public domain
concerning Buyer.
 
Section 5.2  Covenants of Seller
             -------------------

     Seller covenants that until Closing, it will:
 
     (a) Carry on Consumers NC's insurance business in the normal and ordinary
     course and without limitation maintain normal and usual business practices,
     except that Seller may cause Consumers NC to take actions consistent with
     the requirements of Section 1.3 hereof at any time prior to the Closing.

     (b) Be, and cause Consumers NC to be, in compliance with all applicable
     laws, rules and regulations.

Section 5.3  Exclusive Dealing
             -----------------

          Seller shall not solicit, or except to the extent required by
applicable law relating to fiduciary obligations of directors upon advice of
counsel, negotiate, or enter into any agreement with any other person or entity
concerning the sale of Consumers NC or furnish to any person or entity
interested in making any such acquisition any information concerning Consumers
NC. Seller shall notify Buyer immediately upon the approach of any such person
or entity, or of the occurrence of any other event or condition which
jeopardizes or threatens to materially delay the completion of the transactions
contemplated hereby.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE VI
                        CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING

Section 6.1  Conditions Precedent to Buyer's Obligation to Close
             ---------------------------------------------------

  The obligation of Buyer to consummate the purchase of the Stock on the Closing
Date is subject to the fulfillment by Seller or waiver by Buyer at or prior to
the Closing of each of the following conditions:
 
    (a) All representations land warranties of Seller which are contained in
    this Agreement shall be true in all material respects at and as of Closing
    as though such representations and warranties were made at and as of such
    time; and Seller shall have performed and complied with all agreements and
    conditions required by this Agreement prior to or at Closing, and shall have
    delivered to Buyer an officer's certificate certifying thereto.

    (b) Receipt of any third party consents necessary for the consummation of
    the sale and purchase of the Stock and the Regulatory Approvals.

    (c) There shall not be in force any order or decree, or any complaint
    praying for an order or decree, restraining or enjoining the consummation of
    this Agreement and neither of the Parties shall have received notice from
    any governmental department, court, agency or commission of its intention to
    restrain or enjoin the consummation of this Agreement or to nullify or
    render ineffective this Agreement if consummated, or any inquiry from such
    governmental department, court, agency or commission indicating an intent to
    review this Agreement.

    (d) Delivery of the certificate of the Secretary of Seller setting forth the
    resolutions of Seller's Board of Directors authorizing the execution,
    delivery and performance of this Agreement.

    (e) An opinion of counsel for Seller, to the effect that execution of this
    Agreement and each act and document to be performed and executed by Seller
    are the valid and duly authorized or ratified act of Seller, and to such
    other matters as Buyer may reasonably request.

    (f) The recapture of all of Consumers NC's existing surplus relief
    reinsurance agreements.

    (g) The assets which comprise the capital and surplus of Consumers NC shall
    be sufficient to meet the capital requirements of North Carolina, Texas and
    the other states in which Consumers NC is licensed to do business and shall
    consist solely of cash, cash equivalents or other qualified assets under the
    insurance laws of the State of North Carolina and Texas and shall not
    include any equity securities or real estate.
    

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
    (h) Except for the Reinsurance Agreements listed on Exhibit D to this
    Agreement, all of Consumers NC's contracts, including all management
    contracts between Seller and Consumers NC, shall have been terminated.

    (i)  Receipt of the resignations of all of the directors and officers of
    Consumers NC.

    (j) Seller shall have entered into an administrative services agreement with
    American Republic Insurance Company to service the policies reinsured under
    the Credit Reinsurance Agreement.

Section 6.2  Conditions Precedent to Seller's Obligation to Close
             ----------------------------------------------------

  The obligation of Seller to consummate the sale of, the Stock on the Closing
Date, is subject to the fulfillment by Buyer or waiver by Seller at or prior to
the Closing of each of the following conditions:
 
    (a) All representations and warranties of Buyer which are contained in this
    Agreement shall be true in all material respects at and as of Closing as
    though such representations and warranties were made at and as of such time
    and Buyer shall have performed and complied with all agreements and
    conditions required by this Agreement and shall have delivered to Seller an
    officer's certificate certifying thereto.

    (b) Receipt of any third party consents necessary for the consummation of
    the sale and purchase of the Stock and the Regulatory Approvals.

    (c) There shall not be in force any order or decree, or any complaint
    praying for an order or decree, restraining or enjoining the consummation of
    this Agreement and neither of the Parties shall have received notice from
    any governmental department, court, agency or commission of its intention to
    restrain or enjoin the consummation of this Agreement or to nullify or
    render ineffective this Agreement if consummated, or any inquiry from such
    governmental department, court, agency or commission indicating an intent to
    review this Agreement.

    (d) Delivery of the certificates of the Secretary of Buyer setting forth the
    resolutions of the Boards of Directors of Buyer authorizing or ratifying the
    execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement.

    (e) An opinion of counsel for Buyer, to the effect that execution of this
    Agreement and each act and document to be performed and executed by Buyer is
    the valid and duly authorized or ratified act of Buyer, and to such other
    matters as Seller may reasonably request.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE VII
                          SURVIVAL AND INDEMNIFICATION

Section 7.1  Survival of Representations, Warranties and Covenants
             -----------------------------------------------------

    All representations, warranties and covenants of the parties made under or
pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Closing Date.
 
Section 7.2  Indemnity by Seller
             -------------------

    Subject to the provisions of Section 7.4 hereof, Seller hereby covenants and
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Buyer and its successors and assigns from
and against any and all loss, liability, damage, including punitive or extra
contractual damages, or expense (including, but not limited to, reasonable
attorney's fees) arising out of, or resulting from (i) any misrepresentation or
breach of any warranty, representation, covenant or agreement made by Seller in
this Agreement, including the exhibits hereto and any and all written
statements, certificates, instruments and documents delivered to Buyer pursuant
to this Agreement on or before the Closing Date, (ii) any actions taken by
Seller, its officers, employees, agents or representatives in the marketing,
sales and administration of the insurance policies of Consumers NC or in the
adjusting, denying, resisting or defending any claim under the said policies
written and issued on or before the Closing Date, and (iii) any and all
liabilities of Consumers NC of any nature, whether accrued, absolute, contingent
or otherwise, including those liabilities resulting from the Reinsurance
Agreements listed on Exhibit D to this Agreement, and all tax liabilities, for
any period prior to the date of Closing, or arising out of transactions entered
into, and any stated facts existing, prior to such date. To the extent the loss,
liability, damage, including punitive or extra contractual damages, or expense
has resulted from the reliance by Seller on statements made or information
forwarded by Buyer, this paragraph on indemnification will not be applicable.
 
Section 7.3  Indemnity by Buyer
             ------------------

    Subject to the provisions of Section 7.4 hereof, Buyer hereby covenants and
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Seller and its successors and assigns from
and against any and all loss, liability, damage, including punitive or extra
contractual damages, or expense (including, but not limited to, reasonable
attorney's fees) arising out of, or resulting from any misrepresentation or
breach of any warranty, representation, covenant or agreement made by Buyer in
this Agreement, including the exhibits hereto and any and all written
statements, certificates, instruments and documents delivered to Seller pursuant
to this Agreement on or before the Closing Date. To the extent the loss,
liability, damage, including punitive or extra contractual damages, or expense
has resulted from the reliance by Buyer on statements made or information
forwarded by Seller, this paragraph on indemnification will not be applicable.
 
Section 7.4  Notice to Indemnify
             -------------------

    Within sixty (60) days after receipt by Seller or Buyer, as the case may be
(the "Indemnified Party"), of notice of the commencement of any claim, action or
proceeding against it, the Indemnified Party shall give written notice to the
other party (the "Indemnifying Party") of such claim, action or proceeding and
the Indemnifying Party shall at its expense assume the defense of any claim,
action

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
 or proceeding; provided, however, that the failure by the Indemnified Party to
 give timely written notice as provided herein shall absolutely relieve the
 Indemnifying Party of its indemnification obligations under this Agreement,
 unless the failure to give actual written notice to the Indemnifying Party
 results in no damage to the Indemnifying Party. In the defense of any such
 claim against the Indemnified Party (whether singly or with the Indemnifying
 Party) or of any action or proceeding in which the Indemnified Party is named
 as a party, the Indemnifying Party shall not, except with the consent of the
 Indemnified Party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any
 settlement which does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving
 by the claimant or plaintiff to the Indemnified Party of a release from all
 liability with respect to such claim, action or proceeding. The Indemnified
 Party and the Indemnifying Party shall cooperate in the defense of any claim,
 action or proceeding and the records of each relating to the subject matter of
 such defense shall be available to the other with respect to such defense.

 Section 7.5 Retention of Rights
             ---------------------

     Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Indemnified
 Party shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such claim, action
 or proceeding which counsel may participate actively and fully as Company-
 counsel in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall
 be at the expense of the Indemnified Party unless (i) the Indemnifying Party
 has agreed in writing to pay such fees and expenses, (ii) the Indemnifying
 Party has failed to assume the defense and employ counsel in a timely manner,
 or (iii) the named parties to any such action, suit or proceeding (including
 any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying
 Party and the Indemnified Party shall have been advised by its counsel that
 representation of the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party by the same
 counsel would be inappropriate under applicable standards of professional
 conduct (whether or not such representation by the same counsel has been
 proposed), due to actual or potential differing interests between them (in
 which case the Indemnifying Party shall not have the right to assume the
 defense of such action on behalf of the Indemnified Party). The Indemnifying
 Party shall not be liable for any settlement of any such claim, action or
 proceeding effected without its written consent (which consent shall not be
 unreasonably withheld) but if settled with such written consent, or if there be
 a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such claim, action or proceeding, the
 Indemnifying Patsy agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified Party
 to the extent provided herein by reason of such settlement or judgment.
 
 
                                 ARTICLE VIII
                                  ARBITRATION
 
 Section 8.1  Arbitration
              -----------

     The parties agree that should any dispute arise between the parties with
 reference to interpretation of this Agreement or their rights with respect to
 any transaction involving this Agreement, whether such dispute arises before or
 after termination hereof, such dispute shall be submitted to arbitration to be
 held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in accordance with the rules of Commercial
 Arbitration of the American Arbitration Association.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
Section 8.2  Procedure
             ---------

  One arbitrator shall be chosen by Buyer, one by Seller, and an umpire chosen
by the two arbitrators. If either party fails to name an arbitrator within
thirty (30) days after receiving a written request by the other party to do so,
the requesting party may choose two arbitrators who shall in turn choose an
umpire. The arbitrators and the umpire shall be disinterested executive officers
or former executive officers of credit insurance or credit reinsurance companies
authorized to transact business in the United States or any Fellow of the
Society of Actuaries (FSA) or any partner or principal in a nationally
recognized accounting firm with credit insurance experience. The arbitrators
shall be relieved from all judicial formalities and may abstain from following
the strict rules of law. They shall interpret this Agreement as an honorable
engagement and not merely as a legal obligation. A majority decision by the
arbitrators and umpire shall be final and binding on both parties. Judgment may
be entered upon the final decision of the arbitrators in any court having
jurisdiction. Each party shall bear the expense of its own arbitrator and shall
jointly and equally bear, with the other party, the expense of the umpire and
the arbitration, unless otherwise determined by the arbitrators and umpire.
 
                                   ARTICLE IX
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

Section 9.1  Exhibits
             --------

  All Exhibits hereto are deemed a part hereof and incorporated herein. All
statements contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on
behalf of the parties hereto pursuant to this Agreement or in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby, or contained in any Exhibit hereof, shall
be true at Closing as though such representations and warranties were made at
and as of such time.
 
Section 9.2  Expenses
             --------

  The parties shall pay their own expenses, incident to the preparation and
execution of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, including but not limited to, the payment offers for
professional services provided by their attorneys, accountants, actuaries and
experts. Buyer shall have no liability or responsibility for payment of any
finder's fee or broker's commission arising from any transaction under this
Agreement.
 
Section 9.3  Contents of Agreement; Parties in Interest
             ------------------------------------------

  This Agreement sets forth the entire understanding of the parties. All terms
and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of, and be enforceable by their successors and assigns. No assignment of this
Agreement shall be made, however, without the written consent of the other
party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
Section 9.4  Further Documents
             -----------------

  Each party shall cooperate and take such action as may reasonably be requested
by the other party in order to carry out the provisions and purpose of this
Agreement, and at the Closing Seller shall deliver all pertinent Consumers NC
business records to Buyer.
 
Section 9.5  Execution
             ---------

  This Agreement, upon completion of all Exhibits hereto to the mutual
satisfaction of the parties and the attachment of such Exhibits to this
Agreement, may be simultaneously executed in several counterparts, each of which
when executed shall be deemed to be an original, and such counterparts shall
together constitute one and the same instrument.
 
Section 9.6  Effect of Table of Contents; Use of Descriptive Heading; Etc.
             -------------------------------------------------------------

  The Table of Contents preceding this Agreement but under the same cover, and
the descriptive headings of the several paragraphs and subparagraphs are for
convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of
any of the provisions hereof. Whenever used in this Agreement, and the context
so requires, the singular shall include the plural and the plural the singular,
and the use of any gender shall be applicable to all genders.
 
Section 9.7  Notices
             -------

  All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been given if delivered to the person to
whom it was addressed after being sent by facsimile, mailed by an overnight
delivery service requiring a receipt (such as Federal Express) or mailed,
postage prepaid, certified or registered air-mail, return receipt requested
addressed to:
 
     (a)  If to Seller to:
 
         Consumers Life Insurance Company
         1200 Camp Hill By-Pass
         P. O. Box 26
         Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 17001-0026
         Facsimile: 717-761-9473
         Attention: R. Fredric Zullinger, Senior Vice President and Chief
         Financial Officer With a copy to General Counsel

     (b)  If to Buyer to:

         Safeguard Health Enterprises, Inc.
         505 North Euclid Street
         Anaheim, California 92803
         Attention: Ronald I. Brendzel, Senior Vice President and Secretary

         Either party may change its address for notice by providing notice to
the other party in the manner set forth above.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
Section 9.8  Governing Law
             -------------

  This Agreement shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the laws
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
 
Section 9.9  Section 338(h)(10)Election
             --------------------------

    (a) Seller and Buyer will make, or will cause to be made, elections (the
    "Elections") under Section 338(h)(10) of the Internal Revenue Code and the
    regulations promulgated thereunder in respect of the purchase of the Stock
    and elections under any corresponding or similar provisions of state or
    local law in respect of such purchase. On all applicable tax returns, Seller
    and Buyer will report the transfer of the stock consistent with the
    Elections. Neither Seller nor Buyer will take a position contrary to the
    Elections unless required to do so by applicable tax laws pursuant to a
    determination as defined in Section 1313(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.

    (b) Buyer will prepare at its expense and deliver Form 8023-A, together with
    all required attachments, to Seller for its review, approval and signature
    not less than five business days prior to the Closing. After its review and
    approval, Seller will, prior to or at Closing, execute and return such Form
    to Buyer for filing, attach a copy of Form 8023-A as so filed to the federal
    tax return for Consumers NC for the year ended on the Closing Date and take
    such other actions as Buyer may reasonably request in order to effectuate
    the Elections.

    (c) The Purchase Price of the Stock shall be allocated among the assets of
    Consumers NC in accordance with the mutual agreement of the parties to be
    reached prior to the date required for filing any tax returns in which such
    election is relevant. Buyer shall propose an allocation and provide a copy
    of such allocation to Seller prior to the due date of the first such tax
    return, allowing Seller a reasonable time period during which to review such
    allocation. Buyer and seller agree to cooperate to resolve any disputes
    regarding such allocation prior to the due date of such tax return.

    (d) Each of Buyer and Seller agrees to cooperate in good faith with the
    other in preparing, executing and filing any tax forms and other documents
    required under Section 338(h)(10) of the Internal Revenue Code and other
    applicable laws so that the Elections will be made in a proper and timely
    manner. To the extent permitted by state and local laws, the principles and
    procedures of subsections (a) and (b) above shall also apply with respect to
    forms and related documents to be filed pursuant thereto.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
Section 9.10 Records; Taxes
             --------------

  Seller shall deal with the relevant insurance and tax departments with respect
to their examination of Consumers NC's reports and returns covering the period
through the Closing Date. Seller shall pay all fees and taxes assessed against
Consumers NC for all such periods prior to the Closing and shall be entitled to
all refunds of taxes, recoveries and other funds for such period. Seller will
pay any and all stock transfer, sale, use and other similar taxes due as a
result of the transactions contemplated hereby. At and after the Closing,
Consumers NC shall retain title to and custody of all of its corporate records
and documents, provided that Seller may retain custody of copies of any of such
records and documents as Seller may need to perform its obligations under this
Section 9.10.
 
Section 9.11  No Third Party Beneficiaries
              ----------------------------

  Nothing in this Agreement is intended nor shall it be construed to give any
person, firm, corporation or other entity, other than the parties hereto and
their respective successors and permitted assigns, any right, remedy or claim
under or in respect of this Agreement or any of the provisions hereof.

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties by their duly authorized officers have 
executed this Agreement on the day and year first above written.


ATTEST:                            CONSUMERS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY


Illegible signature                By /s/ R. FREDRIC ZULLINGER
___________________                  ______________________________________
Secretary                             R. Fredric Zullinger
                                      Senior Vice President,
                                      Chief Financial Officer
                                      and Treasurer



ATTEST:                            SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES, INC.


Illegible signature                By /s/ JOHN E. COX 
___________________                  ______________________________________
                                      John E. Cox, Executive Vice President
                                      and Chief Operating Officer


Illegible signature                By /s/ RONALD I. BRENDZEL
___________________                  ______________________________________
                                      Ronald I. Brendzel, Senior Vice President
                                      and Secretary


                                      16

<PAGE>


                                                                EXHIBIT 99.2
 
                    DENTAL PRACTICE ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                    ----------------------------------------


          THIS DENTAL PRACTICE ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is
made and entered into effective as of the 1st day of August, 1997 (the
"Effective Date"), by and between GUARDS DENTAL, INC., a California corporation
("Guards") and ASSOCIATED DENTAL SERVICES, INC., a California corporation
("Associated").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

          WHEREAS, Guards desires to sell and Associated desires to purchase
substantially all of the tangible nonorthodontic-related assets of certain
dental practices, as set forth below.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
agreements, promises, covenants and conditions contained herein, and for other
valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties
hereto agree as follows:

          1.  The Assets. The assets sold hereunder shall consist of all of the
              ----------
tangible nonorthodontic-related assets as set forth on Schedule 1(a) attached
                                                       -------------
hereto (the "Assets") associated with the fifteen (15) dental practices at the
locations set forth on Schedule 1(b) attached hereto (the "Dental Practices").

          2.  Assumption of Liabilities. As a material part of the consideration
              -------------------------
for the purchase and sale of the Assets, Associated shall assume, perform,
discharge and pay when due any and all of the obligations and liabilities of
Guards relating to the Assets; except for those transactions and invoices for
services rendered or debt incurred prior to the Effective Date.

          3.  Sale and Purchase of Assets. Upon the execution of this Agreement,
              ---------------------------
Guards shall sell, transfer, convey, assign and deliver the Assets to
Associated, and Associated shall purchase, acquire and accept the Assets from
Guards, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

          4.  Purchase Price and Purchase Note. As full payment for the transfer
              --------------------------------
of Assets by Guards to Associated, Associated shall pay to Guards an aggregate
purchase price of Four Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($4,500,000) (the
"Purchase Price"), which aggregate amount shall be paid to Guards by Associated
delivering to Guards an eight and one-half percent (8.5%), thirty (30) year
negotiable promissory note in the principal amount of Four Million Five Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($4,500,000) in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, executed
                                             ---------
concurrently with this Agreement (the "Note").

          5.  The Credit Program.
              ------------------ 

          5.1.  Obligation to Lend. On the terms, and subject to the conditions
                ------------------
set forth herein, Guards or one of its affiliated companies ("Guards Affiliate")
shall upon request by Associated, loan to Associated up to Two Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($200,000), plus any unused amount from prior months, on a monthly basis
(the "Credit Program") commencing on
<PAGE>
 
the Effective Date and ending on: (i) eighteen (18) months thereafter; or (ii)
when the aggregate outstanding amount loaned to Associated under the Credit
Program is equal to One Million Dollars ($1,000,000); or (iii) upon Associated's
exercise of its option to purchase certain assets pursuant to that certain
Option Agreement dated August 1, 1997 by and between Guards and Associated,
whichever comes first.

          5.2.  Borrowings. Commencing on the Effective Date, Associated may
                ----------
submit to Guards a notice (a "Borrowing Notice") specifying the total amount of
the loan (up to a maximum of $200,000 per calendar month plus any unused amount
from prior months) from Guards or one of its affiliated companies (the "Loan
Amount"). The Borrowing Notice shall also specify (i) the desired date for
advance of the Loan Amount (the "Loan Date"), and (ii) a detailed breakdown of
the anticipated uses by Associated of the Loan Amount, which uses will be
limited to the permitted uses listed on Schedule 5.2. Guards or a Guards
                                        ------------
Affiliate shall advance to Associated the Loan Amount.


          5.3.  Conditions Precedent to Loan. Notwithstanding anything herein to
                ----------------------------
the contrary, Guards or Guards Affiliate shall not be obligated to advance any
Loan Amount to Associated unless, at the time for such advance pursuant to this
Agreement, Associated is in full compliance all of the terms of the Guards
Agreements or such non-compliance has been waived by Guards in the exercise of
its sole and unqualified discretion.

          5.4.  Interest. Each Loan Amount shall bear, and Associated shall pay,
                --------
interest on all outstanding principal amounts thereof at a rate per annum equal
to ten percent (10%).

          5.5.  Repayment and Credit Notes. Each Loan Amount shall be evidenced
                --------------------------
by, and repaid with interest by Associated in accordance with, a promissory note
in the form of Exhibit B, attached hereto (the "Credit Notes"). Each Credit Note
               ---------
shall provide for monthly interest only payments on the Loan Amount during the
eighteen (18) months following the Effective Date with the Loan Amount to be
fully paid up and amortized during months nineteen (19) to forty-two (42)
following the Effective Date.


          6.   Representations and Warranties of Guards.  As of the date hereof,
               ----------------------------------------
Guards represents and warrants to Associated as follows.

               6.1.  No Breach.  This Agreement does not constitute a breach or
                     ---------
violation of any deed, agreement or other contract by which Guards may be bound.

               6.2.  Title to Assets.  Guards is the owner of the Assets,
                     ---------------
beneficially and of record, and has full right, power and authority to sell,
transfer and deliver the Assets to Associated upon consummation of the purchase
contemplated hereby. Associated will acquire from Guards good and marketable
title the Assets, free and clear of any and all covenants, conditions, pledges,
security agreements, voting trust arrangements, liens, charges, claims,
equities, restrictions, options and encumbrances, except as specified in Section
                                                                         -------
12 hereof.
- --          

               6.3.  Enforceability.  This Agreement is a valid and binding
                     --------------
obligation of Guards, enforceable against Guards in accordance with its terms.


                                       2

<PAGE>
 
          7.  Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Associated.  As of
              -------------------------------------------------------
the date hereof, Associated represents and warrants to Guards as follows:

               7.1. Organization and Good Standing.  Associated is a
                    ------------------------------
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of California and it has all requisite power to own, lease and operate its
assets, properties and business and to carry on its business as now conducted
and as proposed to be conducted.

               7.2  Authority to Execute and Perform Agreements.  Associated has
                    -------------------------------------------
all requisite power, authority and approval required to enter into, execute and
deliver this Agreement and all other agreements and instruments to be executed
by Associated in connection herewith (the "Purchase Documents") and to perform
fully Associated's obligations hereunder and thereunder.

               7.3  Due Authorization; Compliance with Laws.  Associated has
                    ---------------------------------------
taken all actions necessary to authorize it to enter into and perform its
obligations under this Agreement and the Purchase Documents and to perform fully
Associated's obligations hereunder and thereunder. This Agreement and the
Purchase Documents constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of
Associated, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms except as such
enforceability may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy, reorganization,
insolvency, moratorium or similar laws or by legal or equitable principles
relating to or limiting the rights of contracting parties generally. Associated
has complied with all applicable laws, orders, rules and regulations promulgated
by any federal, state, municipal or other governmental authority, including
without limitation, any of the foregoing applicable to Associated's activities
in connection with the Dental Practices.

               7.4.  No Breach.  This Agreement and the Purchase Documents do
                     ---------
not constitute a breach or violation of any deed, agreement or other contract by
which Associated may be bound.

               7.5.  Enforceability.  This Agreement and the Purchase Documents
                     --------------
are valid and binding obligations of Associated, enforceable against Associated
in accordance with their terms.

               7.6.  Covenant of Associated After Effective Date.  Associated
                     -------------------------------------------
covenants and agrees that for as long as any of Associated's obligations and
duties remain outstanding under any Note or Credit Note, Associated shall comply
with all applicable laws, orders, rules and regulations promulgated by any
federal, state, municipal or other governmental authority, including without
limitation, any of the foregoing applicable to Associated's activities in
connection with the Dental Practices.

          8.  Access to Records and Property of Dental Practice.  Each party
              -------------------------------------------------
agrees to cooperate with the other party's efforts in assessing the condition,
location and utilization, of the Assets, and to facilitate each party's and its
representatives' access to all contracts, books, records and all other
information concerning the Assets as such party may reasonably request. All such
data and information shall be kept confidential, except insofar as disclosure
may be necessary in order to comply with applicable legal requirements; and all
documents and other information


                                       3

<PAGE>
 
supplied to Associated or its representatives by Guards shall, upon request, be
returned to Guards if such information is not reasonably required for the
ongoing utilization of the Assets.

          9.  Practice Management Agreement.  Concurrently with the execution of
              -----------------------------
this Agreement, Associated shall execute a service agreement in the form of
Exhibit C attached hereto with Imprimis Dental Practice Management, Inc. (the
- ---------
"Service Agreement")


          10.  Agreement to Sublease and Sublease of Office Space.  Concurrently
               --------------------------------------------------
with the execution of this Agreement, Associated shall execute agreements to
sublease from Guards the premises set forth in Schedule 1(b) (except for the
                                               -------------
premises located at 40756 Grimmer Blvd., Fremont, CA 94538 (the "Fremont
Premises")), in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto (the "Sublease").
                            ---------
Additionally, concurrent with the execution of this Agreement, Guards shall
execute agreements to sublease dental office space from Associated at the
locations set forth in Schedule 1(b) (except for the Fremont Premises), in the
                       -------------
form of Exhibit E attached hereto (the "Dental Office Space Sublease"). With
        ---------
respect to the Fremont Premises, Guards agrees to cooperate and assist
Associated in its leasing of the Fremont Premises, including, but not limited to
Guards' guarantying a new lease for the Fremont Premises.


          11.  Execution of Documents.  Each party shall execute and file, or
               ----------------------
join in the execution and filing of, any applications or other documents that
may be necessary in order to obtain the authorization, approval, or consent of
any governmental body that may be required or which the other party may
reasonably request in connection with the execution of this Agreement or
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          12.  Additional Security.  To secure the performance of Associated's
               -------------------
duties and obligations under this Agreement and under that certain Sublease, the
Note, the Credit Notes, the Service Agreement and any and all other agreements,
documents or instruments executed by Associated in connection with this
Agreement and any and all agreements, documents or instruments executed by
Pacific Coast Dental, Inc. ("Pacific") relating to and including that certain
Dental Practices Purchase Agreement by and between Guards and Pacific
(collectively, the "Guards Agreements"), Associated hereby collaterally assigns
and grants a security interest to Guards in and to all of its assets, including
without limitation the Assets transferred hereunder, now existing or hereafter
acquired and/or accrued, including any proceeds or replacements relating to
same. In connection with the granting of this security interest, Associated
shall, immediately upon the request of Guards, execute appropriate Form UCC-l
and/or financing statements necessary to perfect Guards' security interest as
granted hereunder. Upon the event of breach of this Agreement or any of the
Guards Agreements, Guards shall have all rights and remedies available at law or
in equity to the collateral herein described, including but not limited to those
afforded a secured creditor under the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted by the
State of California and may, at Guards' sole discretion terminate any and/or all
of the Guards Agreements.

          13.  Covenant Not to Compete.
               -----------------------

               13.1.  Noncompetition.  Associated will not, without the prior
                      --------------
written consent of Guards, compete directly or indirectly with the orthodontic
practice of Guards located at the Dental Practices (the "Guards Site") by
engaging in the business of orthodontics within


                                       4

<PAGE>
 
five (5) miles of the Guards Site (these areas are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "Covered Areas") nor will Associated lease or sublease any of
the Guards Sites to persons or entities who will engage in the practice of
orthodontics other than Guards. Concurrently, Guards will not, without the prior
consent of Associated, compete directly or indirectly with any Associated's
operations relating to the Dental Practices within five (5) miles of any such
site. The phrase "compete directly or indirectly," shall mean engaging or having
an interest, directly or indirectly, as owner, partner, shareholder, independent
contractor, capital investor, renderer of consultation services or advice or
otherwise, either alone or in association with others, in the operation of any
aspect of any type of business or enterprise competitive with the orthodontic
practice of Guards or the business of Associated. Guards' covenant not to
compete shall be effective at all times for a period of five (5) years from the
Effective Date, or until such earlier time as (i) either party, its successors
and assigns, shall cease to do business; or (ii) upon default by Associated
under this Agreement or the Guards Agreements. Affiliated's covenant not to
compete shall be effective at all times for a period of five (5) years from the
Effective Date, or until such earlier time as either party, its successors and
assigns, shall cease to do business.

               13.2.  Interpretation of Covenant.  The parties hereto agree that
                      --------------------------
both the scope and nature of the covenant and the duration and area for which
the covenant not to compete set forth in this Section 13 is to be effective are
                                              ----------  
reasonable in light of all facts and circumstances. In the event that any
provision of this Section 13 shall to any extent be held invalid, unreasonable
                  ----------  
or enforceable in any circumstances, the parties hereto agree that the remainder
of this Section 13 and the application of such provision of this Section 13 to
        ----------                                               ----------
other circumstances shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent
permitted by law. If any provision of this Section 13, or any part thereof, is
                                           ----------
held to be unenforceable because of the scope or duration of or the area covered
by such provision, the parties hereto agree that the court making such
determination shall reduce the scope, duration and/or area of such provisions
(and shall substitute appropriate provisions for any such unenforceable
provisions) in order to make such provisions enforceable to the fullest extent
permitted by law, and/or shall delete specific words and phrases, and such
modified provisions shall then be enforceable and shall be enforced.


          14.  Indemnification by Associated.  Associated shall indemnify,
               -----------------------------
defend and hold Guards, its directors, officers, shareholders, attorneys, agents
and representatives, and their respective successors and assigns, harmless from
and against any and all losses, liabilities, obligations, judgments,
settlements, damages, costs and expenses, including without limitation,
attorneys' fees, court costs and other expenses of litigation (collectively
"Losses") suffered by any of such parties and arising out of, resulting from or
due to: (i) any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of
Associated contained in this Agreement or any other instrument contemplated by
this Agreement; (ii) any misrepresentation contained in any statement or
certificate furnished by Associated pursuant to this Agreement or in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; (iii) the liabilities and
obligations assumed by Associated pursuant to Section 2; or (iv) any liability
or obligation of Associated in connection with the Assets, or conduct relating
to the Dental Practices after the date hereof.

          15.  Brokers.  Associated, on the one hand, and Guards, on the other
               -------
hand, represent to each other that there are no brokers' commissions or finder's
fees payable in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and each party hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other from and
against any demand, claim and/or liability


                                       5

<PAGE>
 
asserted or established by or in favor of any third party for brokerage
commission or finder's fee based on an agreement with or the actions of such
party. This provision shall survive the consummation of the sale hereunder.

          16.  Notices.  All notices, requests, demands, consents and other
               -------
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given or made in
person, by fax or telecopy or by overnight delivery service, or mailed by first
class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested
and addressed to the person and address set forth under each party's name on the
signature page. Any party may change its address hereunder by notice in writing
to the other party. Any notice, request, consent or other communication shall be
deemed to have been given or made as of the date sent or given.

          17.  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be interpreted and construed
               -------------
in accordance with, and governed by, the internal laws, and not the laws
pertaining to conflicts or choice of law, of the State of California. The
exclusive forum for the determination of any action relating to the validity and
enforceability hereof shall be either an appropriate court of said State or a
court of the United States which includes said State within its territorial
jurisdiction.

          18.  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, including all exhibits
               ----------------
referenced herein and attached hereto, constitutes the entire agreement between
the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof (except for documents
executed contemporaneously herewith or pursuant hereto), and supersedes all
negotiations, preliminary agreements, and all prior and contemporaneous
agreements, representations and understandings of the parties hereto in
connection with the subject matters hereof. No supplement, modification,
amendment or termination of any of the terms, provisions, or conditions of this
Agreement shall be binding unless made in writing signed by all parties hereto,
their successors and assigns. No waiver of any of the provisions of this
Agreement shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of any other provision, whether
or not similar, nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver. No waiver
shall be binding unless executed in writing signed by the party making the
waiver.

          19.  Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding upon,
               ----------------------
and shall inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and to their executors,
administrators, legatees, beneficiaries, personal representatives and assigns,
except that no assignment by Associated may be made without the prior written
consent of Guards.

          20.  Descriptive Headings.  The descriptive headings of the several
               --------------------
paragraphs and subparagraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only
and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.

          21.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
               ------------
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.


                                       6

<PAGE>
 
          22.  Severability.  In the event that any provision of this Agreement
               ------------
is found to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable under any applicable law, such
invalidity or unenforceability shall not be construed as rendering other
provisions contained herein invalid or unenforceable, and all such other
provisions shall be given full force and effect as though the invalid or
unenforceable provision was not contained herein.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have signed this Agreement as
of the day and year first above written. 


ASSOCIATED DENTAL SERVICES, INC.     GUARDS DENTAL, INC.

By:________________________          By:________________________
Name:______________________          Name:  Kenneth E. Keating
Title:_____________________          Title: Vice President - Operations 

Address: 25522 Marguerite Parkway    Address: 505 North Euclid Street
         Mission Viejo, CA  92692             Anaheim, CA  92803-4685


                                       7

<PAGE>
 
                                 Scedule 1(a)

                      The Assets of the Dental Practices
                      ----------------------------------

     The Assets shall consist of the following tangible nonorthodontic-related
assets located at each of the Dental Practices:

     .   maintenance records and data;
     .   leasehold improvements
     .   facility records and data;
     .   furniture, fixtures and non-dental equipment;
     .   signs relating to the Dental Practices;
     .   dental and office supplies;
     .   telephone and facsimile numbers relating to each
          Dental Practice; and
     .   petty cash.
<PAGE>
 
                                 Schedule 1(b)

                       Locations of the Dental Practices
                       ---------------------------------

          The Dental Practices are located at the following sites:

1.     CHULA VISTA                       9.   MODESTO
       510 Broadway, Suites 4 & 5             2900 Standford Avenue, Suite #2
       Chula Vista, CA  91910                 Modesto, CA  95350
       619-476-9400                           209-577-5008

2.     EL CAJON                          10.  NORTHRIDGE
       2990 Jamacha Road, #132                17017 Devonshire Blvd.
       El Cajon, CA  92019                    Northridge, CA  91324
       619-670-1700                           818-360-2216

3.     FAIRFIELD                         11.  PALMDALE
       1955 West Texas Street                 38745 Tierra Subida St., Ste. #150
       Fairfield, CA  94533                   Palmdale, CA  93550
       707-428-5400                           805-272-9091

4.     FREMONT                           12.  SACRAMENTO
       40756 Grimmer Blvd.                    3901 Madison Avenue
       Fremont, CA  94533                     Sacramento, CA  95660
                                              916-339-9000      
                
5.     FRESNO                            13.  SANTA ROSA
       2745 W. Shaw Avenue #103               2525 Cleveland Avenue, Ste. B
       Fresno, CA  93711-3366                 Santa Rosa, CA  95401
       209-227-2900                           707-578-3118

6.     LA MESA                           14.  SAN RAMON
       5601 Grossmont Center Drive            9130-A East Alcosta Blvd.
       La Mesa, CA  91942                     San Ramon, CA  94593
       619-462-2272                           510-803-9700

7.     LANCASTER                         15.  VISTA
       1228 West Avenue K                     1010 E. Vista Way, #A & #B
       Lancaster, CA  91942                   Vista, CA  92083
       805-949-1970                           619-940-8811

8.     LONG BEACH
       17236 Downey Avenue
       Bellflower, CA  90706
       310-531-0221
<PAGE>
 
                     PROMISSORY NOTE AND SECURITY INTEREST


                                        

$ 4,500,000                                                 August 1, 1997
                                                            Irvine, California

          FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, ASSOCIATED DENTAL SERVICES, INC.,
a California professional dental corporation ("Associated"), hereby
unconditionally promises to pay to GUARDS DENTAL, INC., a California corporation
("Guards"), or its successors and assigns, at its offices at 505 North Euclid
Street, Anaheim, CA 92803-4685, or at such other place as the holder of this
promissory note (this "Note") may from time to time designate in writing, the
principal amount of Four Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($4,500,000)
together with interest from the date hereof, at the rate of eight and one-half
percent (8.5%) per annum or the maximum rate allowed by law, whichever rate is
lower (the "Coupon Rate"), principal and interest payable in lawful money of the
United States, without any deduction whatsoever, including but not limited to
any deduction for any set-off or counterclaim over three hundred sixty (360)
months (the "Term"), in monthly installments beginning one (1) month from the
date of this Note, and in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 below.

          1.  Payments.
              -------- 

          1.1.  Interest Only Payments.  For the first twenty-four (24) months
                ----------------------                                        
of the Term, Associated shall pay to Guards monthly interest only payments of
__________________________________________ Dollars and ________ Cents
($_____.__) (the "Interest Only Payments") commencing on September 1, 1997 and
payable thereafter on the first (1st) day of each month (a "Due Date").

          1.2.  Principal and Interest Payments.  Commencing on August 1, 1999,
                -------------------------------                                
Associated shall pay to Guards monthly principal and interest payments of
__________________________________________ Dollars and ________ Cents
($_____.__) and payable thereafter on the first (1st) day of each month with the
final such payment due on August 1, 2027 (the "Principal and Interest Payments")
(the Interest Only Payments and the Principal and Interest Payments are
collectively referred to herein as "Payments").

          1.3.  Manner of Payments.  All Payments due hereunder shall be made to
                ------------------
Guards by check delivered to the address set forth below (or such other address
as Guards may designate from time to time by written notice), or by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to such bank account as Guards may
designate.  Interest payable with respect to any period that is less than a full
calendar month shall be calculated on the daily outstanding principal balance
according to the actual number of days in such period as a fraction of a 360 day
year.
<PAGE>
 
          2.  Delinquent Payment.  If any Payment is not paid within ten (10)
              ------------------                                             
days after any Due Date, Associated shall pay to Guards, in addition to the
Payment and without any requirement of notice or demand by Guards, a late
payment charge equal to one percent (1%) per month of the amount of the Payment
or the maximum amount permitted under applicable law from such Due Date until
Associated pays the Payment and accrued interest.  Associated expressly
acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing late payment charge provision is
reasonable under the circumstances existing on the date of this Note, that it
would be extremely difficult and impractical to fix Guards' actual damages
arising out of any late payment and that the foregoing late payment charge shall
be presumed to be the actual amount of such damages incurred by Guards.  No
provision in this Note (including without limitation the provisions for a late
payment charge and for interest on any amounts remaining unpaid after any Due
Date) shall be construed as in any way excusing Associated from his obligation
to make any Payment under this Note promptly when due.

          3.  Security Interest.  As security for the payment of principal and
              -----------------                                               
accrued interest under this Note, Associated hereby grants to Guards a security
interest in and to all of Associated's tangible nonorthodontics-related assets
associated with the Dental practices located at Schedule 3 attached hereto, or
                                                ----------
any other assets owned by Associated, now existing or hereafter acquired and/or
accrued, including any proceeds or replacements relating to the same (the
"Collateral"). The security interest hereby created shall attach immediately
upon execution of this Note and concurrently herewith, Associated shall execute
any financing statement or financing statements requested by Guards to perfect
the security interest created hereby. Such financing statement or statements
shall be on a form or forms approved by the California Secretary of State and
Associated shall forthwith pay to Guards the filing fees required to file such
statement or statements in the manner required by the Uniform Commercial Code of
California. In addition, Associated shall pay from its own funds, as they become
due, all taxes and assessments levied or assessed against the Collateral, or any
part of the Collateral, prior to the final termination of this Note. Upon any
event of default hereunder, Guards shall be entitled to all the rights and
remedies of a secured creditor with respect to such Collateral as provided for
in the Uniform Commercial Code of California.

          4.  Presentment, Notice of Dishonor and Protest.  Associated consents
              -------------------------------------------                      
to renewals, replacements and extensions of time for any payment hereof, before,
at or after maturity and waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable
law, diligence, grace, presentment, exhibition, protest, demand, dishonor,
exemption rights, nonpayment and notice, of every kind with respect to this Note
or any payment hereunder.  No delay or omission on the part of Guards in
exercising any power, right, privilege or remedy under this Note shall operate
as a waiver of such power, right, privilege or remedy or of any other power,
right, privilege or remedy hereunder.  It is agreed that the granting to
Associated or any other party of an extension or renewal or extensions of the
time for the payment or renewal of any sum or sums due hereunder or under any
other instrument or for the performance of any covenant or stipulation thereof
or the taking of security shall not in any way release or effect the liability
of Associated on this Note.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          5.  Assignment.  Guards shall have the right to sell, assign or
              ----------                                                 
otherwise transfer this Note, either in part or in its entirety, without
Associated's consent.  This Note may not be assigned by Associated without the
prior written consent of Guards or Guards' successors, heirs, representatives or
assigns.

          6.  Successors and Assigns.  This Note and all of the covenants,
              ----------------------                                      
promises and agreements contained in it shall be binding on and inure to the
benefit of the respective legal and personal representatives, devisees, heirs,
successors and assigns of Guards and Associated.

          7.  Modification.  This Note may not be changed, modified, or
              ------------                                             
terminated except by an agreement in writing signed by the parties or their
successors and assigns.

          8.  Severability.  If any provision of this Note, or the application
              ------------                                                    
of it to any party or circumstance, is held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable, the remainder of this Note, and the application of such provision
to other parties or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby, the provisions
of this Note being severable in any such instance.

          9.  Attorneys' and Other Fees.  Associated hereby agrees to pay all
              -------------------------                                      
costs and expenses, including without limitation attorneys' fees and
disbursements, incurred by Guards, or adjudged by a court, in connection with
the collection or enforcement of this Note or any portion of this Note, whether
or not a suit is filed.  This provision is separate and severable and shall
survive any merger of this Note into any judgment.

          10.  Notice.  Notice to either party provided for in this Note shall
               ------                                                         
be given by personal delivery or by mailing such notice by first class or
certified mail, return receipt requested, to the addresses stated below or such
other address as either party may hereafter specify in writing:

               To Associated:
               --------------

               25522 Marguerite Parkway
               Mission Viejo, California  92692
               Attention:  Robert Stalcup/Frank Pellkofer

               To Guards:
               ----------

               505 North Euclid Street
               Anaheim, CA  92803-4685
               Attention:  Kenneth E. Keating

          11.  Governing Law.   This Agreement shall be interpreted and
               -------------                                           
construed in accordance with, and governed by, the internal laws and not the
laws pertaining to conflicts or

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
choice of law of the State of California. The exclusive forum for the
determination of any action relating to the validity and enforceability hereof
shall be either an appropriate court of said State or a court of the United
States which includes said State within its territorial jurisdiction.

          12.  Prepayment.  Associated may prepay the principal amount
               ----------                                             
outstanding in whole or in part at any time and from time to time without
penalty and without any discount.

        Executed at Irvine, California, on the 1st day of August, 1997.

                              ASSOCIATED DENTAL SERVICES, INC.

                              By:_____________________________
                                 
                              Name:___________________________

                              Title:__________________________

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                                   Schedule 3

                           Dental Practice Locations

                                        

<PAGE>
 
                      DENTAL PRACTICES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                      -----------------------------------

          THIS DENTAL PRACTICES PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made
and entered into effective as of the 1st day of August, 1997 (the "Effective
Date"), by and between GUARDS DENTAL, INC., a California corporation ("Guards")
and PACIFIC COAST DENTAL, INC., a California corporation ("Pacific").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

          WHEREAS, Guards desire to sell and Pacific desires to purchase certain
nonorthodontic dental practices and all of the intangible nonorthodontic assets
related thereto, as defined below.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual
agreements, promises, covenants and conditions contained herein, and for other
valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties
hereto agree as follows:

          1.  The Assets.  The assets sold hereunder shall consist of those
              ----------
certain nonorthodontic dental practices as set forth on Schedule 1(a) (the
                                                        ------------
"Dental Practices") attached hereto and all of the intangible nonorthodontic
assets associated with such Dental Practices as set forth on Schedule 1(b)
                                                             ------------
attached hereto (the "Assets").

          2.  Assumption of Liabilities.  As a material part of the
              -------------------------
consideration for the purchase and sale of the Assets, Pacific shall assume,
perform, discharge and pay when due any and all of the obligations and
liabilities of Guards relating to the Dental Practices and the Assets; except
for: (i) liabilities and obligations of Guards relating to Guards' orthodontic
practices at the Dental Practices; (ii) liabilities and obligations of Guards
relating to malpractice claims for which work was performed prior to the
Effective Date; (iii) transactions and invoices for services rendered or debt
incurred prior to the Effective Date; and (iv) liabilities and obligations,
including grievances and/or claims, relating to employee discrimination matters
arising from events prior to the Effective Date.

          3.  Sale and Purchase of Assets.  Upon the execution of this
              ---------------------------
Agreement, Guards shall sell, transfer, convey, assign and deliver the Dental
Practices and the Assets to Pacific, and Pacific shall purchase, acquire and
accept the Dental Practices and the Assets from Guards, on the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth herein.

          4.  Purchase Price.  As full payment for the transfer of the Dental
              --------------
Practices and the Assets by Guards to Pacific, Pacific shall pay to Guards an
aggregate purchase price of Three Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars
($3,500,000) (the "Purchase Price"), which aggregate amount shall be paid to
Guards by Pacific by delivering to Guards an eight and one-half percent (8.5%)
thirty (30) year negotiable promissory note in the principal amount of Three
Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,500,000) in the form of Exhibit A
attached hereto (the "Note").
                            
          5.  Representations and Warranties of Guards.  As of the date hereof,
              ----------------------------------------
Guards represents and warrants to Pacific as follows:
<PAGE>
 
               5.1.  Compliance with Laws; No Litigation.  To the best of
                     -----------------------------------
Guards' knowledge, Guards has complied with all applicable laws, orders, rules
and regulations promulgated by any federal, state, municipal or other
governmental authority relating to the operation and conduct of the Dental
Practices. To the best of Guards' knowledge, Guards has not received any notice
of violation of any applicable regulation or law or requirement relating to the
operation of the Dental Practices.

               5.2.  No Breach.  This Agreement does not constitute a breach or
                     ---------
violation of any deed, agreement or other contract by which Guards may be bound.

               5.3.  Title to Assets.  Guards is the owner of the Dental
                     ---------------
Practices and the Assets, beneficially and of record, and has full right, power
and authority to sell, transfer and deliver such Dental Practices and the Assets
to Pacific upon consummation of the purchase contemplated hereby, Pacific will
acquire from Guards good and marketable title to the Dental Practices and the
Assets, free and clear of any and all covenants, conditions, pledges, security
agreements, voting trust arrangements, liens, charges, claims, equities,
restrictions, options and encumbrances, except as specified in Section 10
                                                               ----------
hereof.

               5.4.  Enforceability.  This Agreement is a valid and binding
                     --------------
obligation of Guards, enforceable against Guards in accordance with its terms.

          6.  Representations and Warranties of Pacific.  As of the date hereof,
              -----------------------------------------
Pacific represents and warrants to Guards as follows:

               6.1.  Compliance with Laws; No Litigation.  Pacific has complied
                     -----------------------------------
with and is complying with all applicable laws, orders, rules and regulations
promulgated by any federal, state, municipal or other governmental authority
relating to Pacific's activities in connection with the Dental Practices.
Pacific has not received any notice of violation of any applicable regulation or
law or requirement relating to its operation regarding the Dental Practices and
each dentist member of Pacific is duly qualified and licensed to practice
dentistry within the State of California.

               6.2.  No Breach.  This Agreement does not constitute a breach or
                     ---------
violation of any deed, agreement or other contract by which Pacific may be
bound.

               6.3  Enforceability.  This Agreement is a valid and binding
                    --------------
obligation of Pacific, enforceable against Pacific in accordance with its terms.

               6.4.  Organization and Good Standing.  Pacific is a corporation
                     ------------------------------
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
California and it has all requisite power to own, lease and operate its assets,
properties and business and to carry on its business as now conducted and as
proposed to be conducted.

               6.5  Authority to Execute and Perform Agreements.  Pacific has
                    -------------------------------------------
all requisite power, authority and approval required to enter into, execute and
deliver this Agreement and all other agreements and instruments to be executed
by Pacific in connection herewith (the "Purchase Documents") and to perform
fully Pacific's obligations hereunder and thereunder.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
               6.6  Due Authorization; Compliance with Laws.  Pacific has taken
                    ---------------------------------------
all actions necessary to authorize it to enter into and perform its obligations
under this Agreement and the Purchase Documents and to perform fully Pacific's
obligations hereunder and thereunder. This Agreement and the Purchase Documents
constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of Pacific, enforceable in
accordance with their respective terms except as such enforceability may be
limited by any applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or
similar laws or by legal or equitable principles relating to or limiting the
rights of contracting parties generally.

               6.7.  Covenant of Pacific After Effective Date.  Pacific
                     ----------------------------------------
covenants and agrees that for as long as any of Pacific's obligations and duties
remain outstanding under the Note, Pacific and any dentists under its control
shall comply with all applicable laws, orders, rules and regulations promulgated
by any federal, state, municipal or other governmental authority, including
without limitation, any of the foregoing applicable to Pacific and any dentists
under its control regarding activities in connection with the Dental Practices.

          7.  Access to Records and Property of Dental Practices.  Each party
              --------------------------------------------------
agrees to cooperate with the other party's efforts in assessing the affairs of
the Dental Practices, and to facilitate each party's and its representatives'
access to all the property, contracts, books, records and all other information
concerning the affairs and condition of the Dental Practices as such party may
reasonably request. All such data and information shall be kept confidential,
except insofar as disclosure may be necessary in order to comply with applicable
legal requirements; and all documents and other information supplied to Pacific
or its representatives by Guards shall, upon request, be returned to Guards if
such information is not reasonably required for the ongoing operations of the
Dental Practices.

          8.  Practice Management Agreement.  Concurrently with the execution of
              -----------------------------
this Agreement, Pacific shall execute a dental practice management services
agreement with Associated Dental Services, Inc., who in turn will execute a
dental practice management services agreement in the form of Exhibit B attached
                                                             ---------
hereto with Imprimis Dental Practice Management.

          9.  Execution of Documents.  Each party shall execute and file, or
              ----------------------
join in the execution and filing of, any applications or other documents that
may be necessary in order to obtain the authorization, approval, or consent of
any governmental body that may be required or which the other party may
reasonably request in connection with the execution of this Agreement or
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          10.  Additional Security.  To secure the performance of Pacific's
               -------------------
duties and obligations under this Agreement, the Note and any and all other
agreements, documents or instruments executed by Pacific in connection with this
Agreement, any and all agreements, documents or instruments executed by
Associated Dental Services, Inc. ("Associated") relating to and including that
certain Dental Practice Asset Purchase Agreement by and between Guards and
Associated (collectively, the "Guards Agreements") Pacific hereby collaterally
assigns and grants a security interest to Guards in and to all of its assets,
including without limitation the Assets transferred hereunder, now existing or
hereafter acquired and/or accrued, including any proceeds or replacements
relating to same. In connection with the granting of this security interest,
Pacific shall, immediately upon the request of Guards, execute appropriate Form
UCC-l and/or financing

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
statements necessary to perfect Guards' security interest as granted hereunder.
Upon the event of breach of this Agreement or any of the Guards Agreements,
Guards shall have all rights and remedies available at law or in equity to the
collateral herein described, including but not limited to those afforded a
secured creditor under the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted by the State of
California and may, at Guards' sole discretion terminate any and/or all of the
Guards Agreements.

          11.  Covenant Not to Compete.
               -----------------------

               11.1  Noncompetition.  Pacific will not, without the prior
                     --------------
written consent of Guards, compete directly or indirectly with the orthodontic
practices of Guards as set forth on Schedule 11 attached hereto (the "Guards
                                    -----------
Site") by engaging in the business of orthodontics within 5 miles of the Guards
Site (these areas are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Covered
Areas") nor will Pacific lease or sublease the Guards Site to persons or
entities who will engage in the practice of orthodontics other than Guards.
Concurrently, Guards will not, without the prior consent of Pacific, compete
directly or indirectly with Pacific's operations relating to the Dental
Practices within five (5) miles of any such site. The phrase "compete directly
or indirectly with the orthodontic practice of Guards," shall mean engaging, or
having an interest, directly or indirectly, as owner, partner, shareholder,
independent contractor, capital investor, renderer of consultation services or
advice or otherwise, either alone or in association with others, in the
operation of any aspect of any type of business or enterprise competitive with
the orthodontic practice of Guards. Guards' covenant not to compete shall be
effective at all times for a period of five (5) years from the Effective Date,
or until such earlier time as (i) either party, its successors and assigns,
shall cease to do business; or (ii) upon default by Pacific under this Agreement
or the Guards Agreements. Pacific's covenant not to compete shall be effective
at all times for a period of five (5) years from the Effective Date, or until
such earlier time as either party, its successors and assigns, shall cease to do
business.

               11.2  Interpretation of Covenant.  The parties hereto agree that
                     --------------------------
both the scope and nature of the covenant and the duration and area for which
the covenant not to compete set forth in this Section 11 is to be effective are
                                              ----------
reasonable in light of all facts and circumstances. In the event that any
provision of this Section 11 shall to any extent be held invalid, unreasonable
                  ----------
or enforceable in any circumstances, the parties hereto agree that the remainder
of this Section 11 and the application of such provision of this Section 11 to
        ----------                                               ----------
other circumstances shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent
permitted by law. If any provision of this Section 11, or any part thereof, is
                                           ----------
held to be unenforceable because of the scope or duration of or the area covered
by such provision, the parties hereto agree that the court making such
determination shall reduce the scope, duration and/or area of such provisions
(and shall substitute appropriate provisions for any such unenforceable
provisions) in order to make such provisions enforceable to the fullest extent
permitted by law, and/or shall delete specific words and phrases, and such
modified provisions shall then be enforceable and shall be enforced.


          12.  Indemnification by Pacific.  Pacific shall indemnify, defend and
               --------------------------
hold Guards, its directors, officers, shareholders, attorneys, agents and
representatives, and their respective successors and assigns, harmless from and
against any and all losses, liabilities, obligations, judgments, settlements,
damages, costs and expenses, including without limitation, attorneys' fees,
court costs and other expenses of litigation (collectively "Losses") suffered by

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
any of such parties and arising out of, resulting from or due to: (i) any breach
of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement of Pacific contained in
this Agreement or any other instrument contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) any
misrepresentation contained in any statement or certificate furnished by Pacific
pursuant to this Agreement or in connection with the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement; (iii) the liabilities and obligations assumed by Pacific
pursuant to Section 2 or (iv) any liability or obligation of Pacific in
connection with the Assets, or the operation or conduct relating to the Dental
Practices after the date hereof.

          13.  Brokers.  Pacific, on the one hand, and Guards, on the other
               -------
hand, represent to each other that there are no brokers' commissions or finder's
fees payable in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and each party hereby agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other from and
against any demand, claim and/or liability asserted or established by or in
favor of any third party for brokerage commission or finder's fee based on an
agreement with or the actions of such party. This provision shall survive the
consummation of the sale hereunder.

          14.  Notices.  All notices, requests, demands, consents and other
               -------
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given or made in
person, by fax or telecopy or by overnight delivery service, or mailed by first
class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested
and addressed to the person and address set forth under each party's name on the
signature page. Any party may change its address hereunder by notice in writing
to the other party. Any notice, request, consent or other communication shall be
deemed to have been given or made as of the date sent or given.

          15.  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be interpreted and construed
               -------------
in accordance with, and governed by, the internal laws, and not the laws
pertaining to conflicts or choice of law, of the State of California. The
exclusive forum for the determination of any action relating to the validity and
enforceability hereof shall be either an appropriate court of said State or a
court of the United States which includes said State within its territorial
jurisdiction.

          16.  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, including all exhibits
               ----------------
referenced herein and attached hereto, constitutes the entire agreement between
the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof (except for documents
executed contemporaneously herewith or pursuant hereto), and supersedes all
negotiations, preliminary agreements, and all prior and contemporaneous
agreements, representations and understandings of the parties hereto in
connection with the subject matters hereof. No supplement, modification,
amendment or termination of any of the terms, provisions, or conditions of this
Agreement shall be binding unless made in writing signed by all parties hereto,
their successors and assigns. No waiver of any of the provisions of this
Agreement shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of any other provision, whether
or not similar, nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver. No waiver
shall be binding unless executed in writing signed by the party making the
waiver.

          17.  Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon, and
               ----------------------
shall inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and to their executors,
administrators, legatees, beneficiaries, personal representatives and assigns,
except that no assignment by Pacific may be made without the prior written
consent of Guards.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
          18.  Descriptive Headings.  The descriptive headings of the several
               --------------------
paragraphs and subparagraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only
and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.

          19.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
               ------------
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

          20.  Severability.  In the event that any provision of this Agreement
               ------------
is found to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable under any applicable law, such
invalidity or unenforceability shall not be construed as rendering other
provisions contained herein invalid or unenforceable, and all such other
provisions shall be given full force and effect as though the invalid or
unenforceable provision was not contained herein.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have signed this Agreement as
of the day and year first above written.

PACIFIC COAST DENTAL, INC.             GUARDS DENTAL, INC.


 
By:_______________________             By:_____________________
Name:_____________________             Name:  Kenneth E. Keating
Title:____________________             Title: Vice President - Operations

 
Address:__________________             Address:   505 North Euclid Street
        __________________             Anaheim, CA  92803-4685

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
                                 SCHEDULE 1(a)

                       Locations of the Dental Practices
                       ---------------------------------

          The Dental Practices are located at the following sites:


1.   CHULA VISTA                      9.   MODESTO
     510 Broadway, Suites 4 & 5            2900 Standford Avenue, Suite #2
     Chula Vista, CA  91910                Modesto, CA  95350
     619-476-9400                          209-577-5008

2.   EL CAJON                         10.  NORTHRIDGE
     2990 Jamacha Road, #132               17017 Devonshire Blvd.
     El Cajon, CA  92019                   Northridge, CA  91324
     619-670-1700                          818-360-2216

3.   FAIRFIELD                        11.  PALMDALE
     1955 West Texas Street                38745 Tierra Subida St., Ste. #150
     Fairfield, CA  94533                  Palmdale, CA  93550
     707-428-5400                          805-272-9091

4.   FREMONT                          12.  SACRAMENTO
     40756 Grimmer Blvd.                   3901 Madison Avenue
     Freemont, CA  94533                   Sacramento, CA  95660
                                           916-339-9000

5.   FRESNO                           13.  SANTA ROSA
     2745 W. Shaw Avenue #103              2525 Cleveland Avenue, Ste. B
     Fresno, CA  93711-3366                Santa Rosa, CA  95401
     209-227-2900                          707-578-3118

6.   LA MESA                          14.  SAN RAMON
     5601 Grossmont Center Drive           9130-A East Alcosta Blvd.
     La Mesa, CA  91942                    San Ramon, CA  94593
     619-462-2272                          510-803-9700

7.   LANCASTER                        15.  VISTA
     1228 West Avenue K                    1010 E. Vista Way, #A & #B
     Lancaster, CA  91942                  Vista, CA  92083
     805-949-1970                          619-940-8811

8.   LONG BEACH
     17236 Downey Avenue
     Bellflower, CA  90706
     310-531-0221

                                       
<PAGE>
 
                                 SCHEDULE 1(b)

                             The Intangible Assets
                             ---------------------

     The following intangible nonorthodontic-related assets associated with the
Dental Practices are sold to Pacific under this Agreement:

     .    All patient charts;
     .    All patient lists;
     .    All patient records;
     .    Goodwill of the Dental Practices;
     .    The "doing business as" registered names/trade names; and
     .    The accounts receivable.

                                       
<PAGE>
 
                     PROMISSORY NOTE AND SECURITY INTEREST

                                        

$3,500,000                                                  August 1, 1997
                                                            Irvine, California

          FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, PACIFIC COAST DENTAL, INC., a
California corporation ("Pacific"), hereby unconditionally promises to pay to
GUARDS DENTAL, INC., a California corporation ("Guards"), or its successors and
assigns, at its offices at 505 North Euclid Street, Anaheim, CA 92803-4685, or
at such other place as the holder of this promissory note (this "Note") may from
time to time designate in writing, the principal amount of Three Million Five
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($3,500,000), together with interest from the date
hereof, at the rate of eight and one-half percent (8.5%) per annum or the
maximum rate allowed by law, whichever rate is lower (the "Coupon Rate"),
principal and interest payable in lawful money of the United States, without any
deduction whatsoever, including but not limited to any deduction for any set-off
or counterclaim over three hundred sixty (360) months (the "Term"), in monthly
installments beginning one (1) month from the date of this Note, and in
accordance with paragraphs 1 and 2 below.

          1.    Payments.
                -------- 

          1.1.  Interest Only Payments.  For the first twenty-four (24) months
                --------------                                                
of the Term, Pacific shall pay to Guards monthly interest only payments of
________________________________________ Dollars and __________ Cents
($____.___) (the "Interest Only Payments") commencing on September 1, 1997 and
payable thereafter on the first day of each month (a "Due Date").

          1.2.  Principal and Interest Payments.  Commencing on August 1, 1999,
                -------------------------------                                
Pacific shall pay to Guards monthly principal and interest payments of
_________________________ Dollars and _______________ Cents ($____.__) and
payable thereafter on the first (1st) day of each month with the final such
payment due on August 1, 2027 (the "Principal and Interest Payments") (the
Interest Only Payments and the Principal and Interest Payments are collectively
referred to herein as "Payments").

          1.3.  Manner of Payments.  All Payments due hereunder shall be made to
                ------------------                                              
Guards by check delivered to the address set forth below (or such other address
as Guards may designate from time to time by written notice), or by wire
transfer of immediately available funds to such bank account as Guards may
designate.  Interest payable with respect to any period that is less than a full
calendar month shall be calculated on the daily outstanding principal balance
according to the actual number of days in such period as a fraction of a 360 day
year.
<PAGE>
 
          2.  Delinquent Payment.  If any Payment is not paid within ten (10)
              ------------------                                             
days after any Due Date, Pacific shall pay to Guards, in addition to the Payment
and without any requirement of notice or demand by Guards, a late payment charge
equal to one percent (1%) per month of the amount of the Payment or the maximum
amount permitted under applicable law from such Due Date until Pacific pays the
Payment and accrued interest.  Pacific expressly acknowledges and agrees that
the foregoing late payment charge provision is reasonable under the
circumstances existing on the date of this Note, that it would be extremely
difficult and impractical to fix Guards' actual damages arising out of any late
payment and that the foregoing late payment charge shall be presumed to be the
actual amount of such damages incurred by Guards.  No provision in this Note
(including without limitation the provisions for a late payment charge and for
interest on any amounts remaining unpaid after any Due Date) shall be construed
as in any way excusing Pacific from its obligation to make any Payment under
this Note promptly when due.

          3.  Security Interest.  As security for the payment of principal and
              -----------------                                               
accrued interest under this Note, Pacific hereby grants to Guards a security
interest in and to all of Pacific's assets related to or associated with the
dental practices located on Schedule 3 attached hereto, or any other dental
                            ----------
practices owned by Pacific, now existing or hereafter acquired and/or accrued,
including any proceeds or replacements relating to the same (the "Collateral").
The security interest hereby created shall attach immediately upon execution of
this Note and concurrently herewith, Pacific shall execute any financing
statement or financing statements requested by Guards to perfect the security
interest created hereby. Such financing statement or statements shall be on a
form or forms approved by the California Secretary of State and Pacific shall
forthwith pay to Guards the filing fees required to file such statement or
statements in the manner required by the Uniform Commercial Code of California.
In addition, Pacific shall pay from its own funds, as they become due, all taxes
and assessments levied or assessed against the Collateral, or any part of the
Collateral, prior to the final termination of this Note. Upon any event of
default hereunder, Guards shall be entitled to all the rights and remedies of a
secured creditor with respect to such Collateral as provided for in the Uniform
Commercial Code of California.

          4.  Presentment, Notice of Dishonor and Protest.  Pacific consents to
              -------------------------------------------                      
renewals, replacements and extensions of time for any payment hereof, before, at
or after maturity and waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
diligence, grace, presentment, exhibition, protest, demand, dishonor, exemption
rights, nonpayment and notice, of every kind with respect to this Note or any
payment hereunder.  No delay or omission on the part of Guards in exercising any
power, right, privilege or remedy under this Note shall operate as a waiver of
such power, right, privilege or remedy or of any other power, right, privilege
or remedy hereunder.  It is agreed that the granting to Pacific or any other
party of an extension or renewal or extensions of the time for the payment or
renewal of any sum or sums due hereunder or under any other instrument or for
the performance of any covenant or stipulation thereof or the taking of security
shall not in any way release or effect the liability of Pacific on this Note.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          5.  Assignment.  Guards shall have the right to sell, assign or
              ----------                                                 
otherwise transfer this Note, either in part or in its entirety, without
Pacific's consent.  This Note may not be assigned by Pacific without the prior
written consent of Guards or Guards' successors, heirs, representatives or
assigns.

          6.  Successors and Assigns.  This Note and all of the covenants,
              ----------------------                                      
promises and agreements contained in it shall be binding on and inure to the
benefit of the respective legal and personal representatives, devisees, heirs,
successors and assigns of Guards and Pacific.

          7.  Modification.  This Note may not be changed, modified, or
              ------------                                             
terminated except by an agreement in writing signed by the parties or their
successors and assigns.

          8.  Severability.  If any provision of this Note, or the application
              ------------                                                    
of it to any party or circumstance, is held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable, the remainder of this Note, and the application of such provision
to other parties or circumstances, shall not be affected thereby, the provisions
of this Note being severable in any such instance.

          9.  Attorneys' and Other Fees.  Pacific hereby agrees to pay all costs
              -------------------------                                         
and expenses, including without limitation attorneys' fees and disbursements
incurred by Guards, or adjudged by a court, in connection with the collection or
enforcement of this Note or any portion of this Note, whether or not a suit is
filed.  This provision is separate and severable and shall survive any merger of
this Note into any judgment.

          10.  Notice.  Notice to either party provided for in this Note shall
               ------                                                         
be given by personal delivery or by mailing such notice by first class or
certified mail, return receipt requested, to the addresses stated below or such
other address as either party may hereafter specify in writing:

               To Pacific:
               ----------

               25522 Marguerite Parkway
               Mission Viejo, CA  92692
               Attention:  Robert Stalcup/Frank Pellkofer

               To Guards:
               ----------

               505 North Euclid Street
               Anaheim, CA  92803-4685
               Attention:  Kenneth E. Keating


          11.  Governing Law.   This Note shall be interpreted and construed in
               -------------                                                   
accordance with, and governed by, the internal laws, and not the laws pertaining
to conflicts or

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
choice of law, of the State of California. The exclusive forum for the
determination of any action relating to the validity and enforceability hereof
shall be either an appropriate court of said State or a court of the United
States which includes said State within its territorial jurisdiction.

          12.  Prepayment.  Pacific may prepay the principal amount outstanding
               ----------                                                      
in whole or in part at any time and from time to time without penalty and
without any discount.

        Executed at Irvine, California, on the 1st day of August, 1997.


                              PACIFIC COAST DENTAL, INC.

                              By:________________________

                              Name:______________________

                              Title:_____________________


                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                                  Schedule 3

                           Dental Practice Locations

                                        


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