SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 12b-25

NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING

SEC FILE NUMBER	0-12505
CUSIP NUMBER	786444 10 9

|X|   Form 10-K   |  |   Form 20-F   |  |   Form 11-K   |  |   Form 10-Q   |  |   Form NSAR  
For the period ended: December 31, 2003

|  |   Transition Report on Form 10-K  
|  |   Transition Report on Form 20-F  
|  |   Transition Report on Form 11-K  
|  |   Transition Report on Form 10-Q  
|  |   Transition Report on Form NSAR  

For the transition period ended:  Read attached Instruction Sheet Before Preparing Form. Please Print or Type.

Nothing in this form shall be construed to imply that the Commission has verified any information contained herein. If the notification related to a portion of the filing checked above, identify the item(s) to which notification relates:

     

Part I-Registrant Information
	Full name of Registrant: Former name if Applicable: Address of Principal Executive Office (Street and Number): City, State and Zip Code:	SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES, INC. N/A 95 Enterprise, Suite 100 Aliso Viejo, California 92656-2605

Part II-Rule 12b-25(b) and (c) If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should be completed.(Check box if appropriate.)

|X|

(a)    The reasons described in detail in Part III of this form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense; (b)    The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report of Forms 10-K, 10-KSB, 20-F, 11-K or Form N-SAR, or portion thereof will be filed on or before the 15th calendar day following the prescribed due date; or the subject quarterly report or transition report on Form 10-Q, 10-QSB, or portion thereof will be filed on or before the fifth calendar day following the prescribed due date; and (c)    The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule 12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.

Part III-Narrative State below in reasonable detail the reasons why Forms 10-K, 20-F, 11-K, 10-Q, 10-QSB, N-SAR or the transition report portion thereof could not be filed within the prescribed time period.

     The registrant has pending before the Securities and Exchange Commission a Schedule 14C Information Statement and a Form 13E-3 in a going private transaction. Registrant is working to complete the going private transaction represented by the above referenced documents and has devoted its resources towards that effort and has not had sufficient time to complete its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, when due.
Part IV-Other Information      (1)   Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this notification:

Ronald I. Brendzel	949	425-4110
(Name)	(Area Code)	(Telephone Number)

     (2)   Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed?

|X|   Yes   |  |   No  

If the answer is no, identify report(s)

     

     (3)    Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion thereof?

|  |   Yes   |X|   No  

If so: attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable estimate of the results cannot be made.


     

SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES, INC. Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter

Has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date: March  30,  2004 By:  /s/ Ronald I. Brendzel
Ronald I. Brendzel
Senior Vice President and Secretary

INSTRUCTION: The form may be signed by an executive officer of the registrant or by any other duly authorized representative. The name and title of the person signing the form shall be typed or printed beneath the signature. If the statement is signed on behalf of the registrant by an authorized representative (other than an executive officer), evidence of the representative's authority to sign on behalf of the registrant shall be filed with the form. ATTENTION
Intentional misstatements or omissions of fact constitute Federal Criminal Violations (See 18 U.S.C. 1001).