ORTHODONTIC CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC. ANNOUNCES RECORD SECOND QUARTER RESULTS.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 30, 1996-- Orthodontic Centers of America, Inc. (Nasdaq/NM:OCAI) today announced results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 1996.

Second Quarter Highlights:

-- Continued increase in profitability and revenue

-- Development and acquisition activities are on target for 1996

-- Orthodontist recruitment ahead of schedule

-- 22 centers added (5 consolidated) during the first six months

of 1996

-- Case starts increased by 47.3% versus the second quarter of

1995

-- Robust development/acquisition pipeline

For the second quarter of 1996, net revenue increased 68.0% to $15,517,000 compared with $9,236,000 for the same period last year. Net income totaled $3,111,000, or 78.5% above the $1,743,000 net income for the second quarter of 1995. The Company earned $0.15 per share for the second quarter of 1996, an increase of 50.0% over the $0.10 per share (adjusted for a two-for-one stock split in December 1995) for the same period in 1995. Fully diluted average weighted shares of common stock outstanding for the quarter ended June 30, 1996, were 21,108,000 as compared with 17,592,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 1995.

For the six months ended June 30, 1996, net revenue increased 65.2% to $29,236,000 compared with $17,701,000 for the same period last year. Net income totaled $5,845,000, or 65.4% above the $3,533,000 net income for the second quarter of 1995. The Company earned $0.27 per share for the six months ended June 30, 1996, an increase of 35.0% over the $0.20 per share (adjusted for a two-for- one stock split in December 1995) for the same period in 1995. Fully diluted average weighted shares of common stock outstanding for the quarter ended June 30, 1996, were 21,688,000 as compared with 17,322,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 1995.

Dr. Gasper Lazzara, Jr., chairman and president of Orthodontic Centers of America, Inc., said, "We are very pleased with our financial results which continue to demonstrate the inherent strengths of our business. We continue to benefit from the maturation of orthodontic practices developed in 1994 and 1995. As these practices mature and achieve increased patient loads, profitability has increased substantially. Another major driver of our strong performance is our ability to both develop new practices and to affiliate with existing practices. We are on target to add 60 facilities through development and 40 new centers through affiliations with existing practices in 1996. These new centers are expected to be generators of future profitability as their revenues ramp up through the 26-month patient maturation cycle."

In the first six months of 1996, the Company signed letters of intent to affiliate with 18 orthodontists with existing practices which generated annual collections of $9.6 million during 1995. Seven of these centers began their affiliation with Orthodontic Centers during the second quarter of 1996. The remainder are expected to begin their affiliation in the third quarter.

In closing, Dr. Lazzara said, "We are very pleased with our success to date in recruiting additional orthodontists. Orthodontists are the engines of our growth and our successful recruitment efforts bode well for future success. Recently, at the international meeting of the American Association of Orthodontists, we noted an increased level of interest in our business. We are very encouraged by the enthusiastic response we received. Today, we have affiliations with 91 orthodontists. As our company grows in stature and our recruitment efforts continue, we believe we have potential to substantially increase our penetration of the existing base of approximately 9,000 orthodontists who practice in the United States."

Orthodontic Centers of America, Inc. provides comprehensive management and consulting services to orthodontic practices. The Company currently has management or consulting arrangements with 180 orthodontic centers in 25 states located throughout the United States. Recent expansions include centers in Tennessee, Maryland, Massachusetts and West Virginia. For additional information on Orthodontic Centers of America, visit the Company's Web site: http://www.shareholdernews.com/ocai -0-

                    ORTHODONTIC CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.
                           Financial Highlights
           (In thousands, except per share and statistical data)

                        Three Months Ended        Six Months Ended
                             June 30,                 June 30,

                         1996        1995         1996        1995

Net revenue          $   15,517   $    9,236   $   29,236   $  17,701

Net income           $    3,111   $    1,743   $    5,845   $   3,533

Net income per share $     0.15   $     0.10   $     0.27   $    0.20

Shares outstanding       21,108       17,592       21,688      17,322

                                                  Three Months Ended
                                                        June 30,

                                                    1996       1995
Statistical Data:
New patient contracts                               10,217      6,937
Number of affiliated orthodontists                      91         61
Number of centers                                      162        104

                                                  June 30,    Dec. 31,
                                                    1996       1995
Balance Sheet Data:
Current assets                                  $   50,332  $  54,444
Total assets                                        95,339     92,573
Total liabilities                                   11,669     15,260
Stockholders' equity                                83,670     77,313
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity          95,339     92,573

CONTACT: Orthodontic Centers of America, Inc.

Bartholomew F. Palmisano, Sr., 504/834-4392