Exhibit  23.1
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                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


We  consent  to  the incorporation by reference in this Post-Effective Amendment
No.  4  to  Registration  Statement No. 33-2226 of SafeGuard Health Enterprises,
Inc.  on  Form  S-8  of  our report dated March 7, 2002, appearing in the Annual
Report  on  Form  10-K  of SafeGuard Health Enterprises, Inc. for the year ended
December  31,  2001.

/s/  Deloitte  &  Touche,  L.L.P.


DELOITTE  &  TOUCHE,  L.L.P.

Costa  Mesa,  California
August  27,  2002