INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos.
33-2226 and 333-98989 of SafeGuard Health Enterprises, Inc. on Form S-8 of our
report dated March 13, 2003 (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and
includes an explanatory paragraph referring to a change in method of accounting
for goodwill and other intangible assets in 2002), appearing in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K of SafeGuard Health Enterprises, Inc. for the year ended
December 31, 2002.



DELOITTE & TOUCHE llp

Costa Mesa, California
March 21, 2003