Australia’s only ASX listed dental services company 1300SMILES has expanded into South Australia with the purchase of a six-surgery dental practice in Adelaide’s central business district.

The dental practice is one of Adelaide’s best known, founded in 1945 by Dr Graham Mount, known as the “Grandfather of Dentistry” due to his innovations in prevention and repair of micro-cavities in teeth.

The practice, at King William House, 25 King William Street, was subsequently owned by Mount’s son, Dr Jeffrey Mount, and most recently by Dr Mark Earl.

1300SMILES provides dental facilities at 24 locations in Queensland from its head administrative office in Townsville.

The company runs dental surgeries and provides practice management for self-employed dentists.

It’s the largest move to date from its Queensland origins, and the company said today that its Adelaide acquisition is a tangible step in the commencement of its national expansion plans.

“Whilst not financially material overall (given the scale of the company’s established operations) this practice is expected to make an immediate contribution to both profit and earnings per share,” the company said in a statement to the stock exchange.

1300SMILES Queensland marketing is strong on its association with sporting teams and football codes, making the Adelaide purchase a nice fit.

The dental practice’s owner Mark Earl has been the consultant dental surgeon for the Adelaide Crows Football Club for the past 19 years.

“1300SMILES Ltd is delighted that Dr Earl has committed to continue his work for the Crows and his other patients from the practice,” the company said.