<PAGE>   1

                                  UNITED STATES

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES 
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

     For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1999

                                      OR

[ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

     For the transition period from _____ to _____

                         Commission file number 0-12050


                       SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES, INC.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


               DELAWARE                                52-1528581     
     ----------------------------                  ----------------- 
     (State or other jurisdiction                   (I.R.S. Employer  
           Identification No.)                      of incorporation) 


             95 ENTERPRISE
        ALISO VIEJO, CALIFORNIA                          92656
----------------------------------------           ------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)              (Zip Code)


                                 (949) 425-4300
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                                 Yes  X   No
                                     ---     ---

The number of shares outstanding of registrant's common stock, par value $.01
per share, at March 31, 1999, was 4,747,498 shares (not including 3,274,788
shares of common stock held in treasury).


                                  Page 1 of 17


<PAGE>   2

                       SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                    FORM 10-Q

                      FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1999

                         INFORMATION INCLUDED IN REPORT

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              Page  
                                                                              ----  
<S>            <C>                                                            <C>   
Part I.        FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                                
                                                                                    
Item 1.        Consolidated Financial Statements                                3   
                                                                                    
               Consolidated Statements of Financial Position                    3   
                                                                                    
               Consolidated Statements of Income                                4   
                                                                                    
               Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                            5   
                                                                                    
               Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                       6   
                                                                                    
Item 2.        Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition          
               and Results of Operations                                       10   
                                                                                    
Item 3.        Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk      15   
                                                                                    
Part II.       OTHER INFORMATION                                                    
                                                                                    
Item 1.        Legal Proceedings                                               15   
                                                                                    
Item 3.        Defaults on Senior Notes                                        15   
                                                                                    
Item 5.        Other Information                                               15   
                                                                                    
Item 6.        Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                16   
                                                                                    
SIGNATURES                                                                     17   
</TABLE>

                                  Page 2 of 17


<PAGE>   3

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                       SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
                                 (000'S OMITTED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          March 31,  December 31, 
                                                                            1999         1998     
                                                                          ---------  ------------ 
                                                                              (Unaudited)               
<S>                                                                       <C>         <C>         
ASSETS                                                                                            
Current assets:                                                                                   
   Cash                                                                   $  1,602    $  3,256    
   Investments available for sale, at estimated fair value                   3,612       2,959    
   Accounts receivable, net of reserves of                                                        
      $2,687 in 1999 and $2,954 in 1998                                      6,344       4,641    
   Notes receivable, net of allowances of $17,305 in 1999 and 1998          10,878      10,892    
   Income taxes receivable                                                      77         485    
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                   747         478    
   Deferred income taxes                                                     6,447       6,672    
   Assets held for sale                                                      3,562       3,562    
                                                                          --------    --------    
               Total current assets                                         33,269      32,945    
                                                                          --------    --------    
   Property and equipment, net                                               6,150       6,105    
   Investments available for sale, at estimated cost                         5,071       4,225    
   Notes receivable - long term, net of allowances of $2,523 in 1999                              
      and $2,601 in 1998                                                     4,161       4,083    
   Other assets                                                                240         240    
   Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $1,746 in 1999 and                                
      $1,563 in 1998                                                        27,731      27,914    
   Intangibles and covenant not to compete, net of accumulated                                    
      amortization of $2,288 in 1999 and $2,059 in 1998                      3,639       3,893    
   Deferred income taxes - long term                                           539         539    
                                                                          --------    --------    
               Total assets                                               $ 80,800    $ 79,944    
                                                                          ========    ========    
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                              
Current liabilities:                                                                              
   Short-term debt                                                        $  8,000    $  8,000    
   Current portion of note payable                                           1,695       1,894    
   Accounts payable and accrued expenses                                    10,300      10,905    
   Income taxes payable                                                        493          --    
   Reserves for incurred but not reported claims                             3,858       3,558    
   Deferred revenue                                                            739       1,022    
                                                                          --------    --------    
              Total current liabilities                                     25,085      25,379    
                                                                                                  
Long-term debt                                                              32,500      32,500    
Accrued compensation agreement                                                 302         311    
Stockholders' equity                                                                              
   Common stock $.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized;                                     
       4,747,000 in 1999 and in 1998 shares outstanding, stated at          21,509      21,509    
   Preferred stock - $.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized;                                 
       no shares issued or outstanding                                          --          --    
   Retained earnings                                                        19,507      18,722    
   Net unrealized loss on investments available for sale, net of                                  
     deferred taxes                                                             20        (354)   
   Treasury stock, at cost                                                 (18,123)    (18,123)   
                                                                          --------    --------    
               Total stockholders' equity                                   22,913      21,754    
                                                                          --------    --------    
                                                                          $ 80,800    $ 79,944    
                                                                          ========    ========    
</TABLE>

          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                  Page 3 of 17

<PAGE>   4

                       SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                     (000'S OMITTED, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Three months ended   
                                                                  March 31,       
                                                            --------------------  
                                                              1999        1998    
                                                            --------    --------  
<S>                                                         <C>         <C>       
Revenues:                                                   $ 24,755    $ 24,396  
                                                                                  
Expenses:                                                                         
     Health care services                                     16,442      16,431  
     Selling, general and administrative                       7,712       7,300  
                                                            --------    --------  
               Total expenses                                 24,154      23,731  
                                                            --------    --------  
                                                                                  
Operating income                                                 601         664  
                                                                                  
Other income                                                   1,552         970  
Interest expense                                                (947)       (922) 
                                                            --------    --------  
                                                                                  
Income from continuing operations before provision                                
   for income taxes and discontinued operations                1,207         712  
Provision for income taxes                                       422         313  
                                                            --------    --------  
                                                                                  
Net income                                                  $    785    $    399  
                                                            ========    ========  
                                                                                  
Basic earnings per share from net income:                   $   0.17    $   0.08  
                                                                                  
        Weighted average shares outstanding                    4,747       4,747  
                                                                                  
Diluted earnings per share from net income:                 $   0.17    $   0.08  
                                                                                  
     Weighted average shares outstanding                       4,747       4,820  
</TABLE>

          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                  Page 4 of 17


<PAGE>   5

                       SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                 (000'S OMITTED)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              Three months ended
                                                                                   March 31,
                                                                             --------------------
                                                                               1999       1998   
                                                                             --------   --------- 
<S>                                                                          <C>        <C>      
Cash flows from operating activities:                                                            
   Net income                                                                $    785   $    400 
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by                                   
      (used in) continuing operations:                                                           
   Depreciation and amortization                                                  709        671 
   Deferred income taxes (benefit)                                                 --       (850)
   Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                                                  
               Accounts receivable, net                                        (1,688)      (668)
               Income taxes receivable                                            407       (206)
               Prepaid expenses and other current assets                         (269)         8 
               Accounts payable and accrued expenses                             (605)      (919)
               Income taxes payable                                               493         -- 
               Deferred revenue                                                  (283)        21 
               Reserves for incurred but not reported claims                      300       (600)
                                                                             --------   -------- 
                    Net cash provided by continuing operations                   (151)    (2,143)
                    Net cash used in discontinued operations                       --     (1,081)
                                                                             --------   -------- 
                    Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities          (151)    (3,224)
                                                                             --------   -------- 
                                                                                                 
Cash flows from investing activities:                                                            
   Purchase of investments available for sale                                 (13,024)      (589)
   Proceeds from sales/maturity of investments available for sale              12,123      1,259 
   Purchase of investments held to maturity                                        --     (4,443)
   Proceeds from maturity of investments held to maturity                          --      4,142 
   Purchases of property and equipment                                           (394)      (576)
   Additions to intangibles and other assets                                       --        (63)
                                                                             --------   -------- 
                    Net cash provided by investing activities                  (1,295)      (270)
                                                                             --------   -------- 
                                                                                                 
Cash flows from financing activities:                                                            
   Proceeds from bank loan                                                         --      2,000 
   Payments on accrued compensation agreement                                      (9)        (9)
   Payments on notes payable                                                     (199)      (298)
                                                                             --------   -------- 
                    Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities          (208)     1,693 
                                                                             --------   -------- 
                                                                                        $ (2,143)
Net increase (decrease) in cash                                                (1,654)    (1,801)
Cash at beginning of period                                                     3,256      3,652 
                                                                             --------   -------- 
Cash at end of period                                                        $  1,602   $  1,851 
                                                                             ========   ======== 
</TABLE>

          See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                  Page 5 of 17


<PAGE>   6

                       SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1: BASIS OF REPORTING

The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of SafeGuard Health
Enterprises, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") for the quarter ended March
31, 1999, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles applicable to interim periods, and reflect all adjustments which are,
in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of results for
the interim periods. The statements have been prepared in accordance with the
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, but omit certain
information and footnote disclosures necessary to present the statements in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. This information
should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and
Notes including Significant Accounting Policies, contained in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998. Management
believes that the disclosures herein are adequate to make the information
presented not misleading. As described in Note 6 herein, the operating results
for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 has been reclassified to reflect the effect
of the discontinued operation of the general dental practices and the
orthodontic practices.

NOTE 2: STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER SHARE

Since October 1986, the Company's Board of Directors has, at various times,
authorized the repurchase of up to 4,510,888 shares of its common stock through
open market or private transactions. As of March 31, 1999, a total of 3,819,088
shares had been acquired. All shares acquired prior to August 24, 1987, have
been retired as required by California law. All shares acquired after the August
24, 1987 reincorporation in Delaware are being held as treasury stock at an
average cost of $5.54 per share.

Earnings per share have been restated to conform with the provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per Share". Basic
earnings per share excludes the effect of all potentially dilutive securities.
Diluted earnings per share includes the effect of all potentially dilutive
common securities. For the quarters ended March 31, 1999 and 1998 the current
presentation of diluted earnings per share is identical to the Company's former
presentation of primary earnings per share.

NOTE 3: RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In February 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 128 ("FAS 128"), Earnings Per Share, which becomes effective for fiscal
years ending after December 15, 1997. FAS 128 specifies the computation,
presentation and disclosure requirements for earnings per share, and its
objective is to simplify the computation of earnings per share, and to make the
U.S. standard for computing earnings per share more compatible with the
standards of other countries. The statement requires that all prior period
earnings per share data presented shall be restated. The Company adopted FAS 128
in fiscal year 1997 as required, and for the quarters ended March 31, 1999 and
1998, the current presentation of diluted earnings per share is identical to the
Company's former presentation of primary earnings per share.

In June 1997, FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130
("FAS 130"), Reporting Comprehensive Income, which becomes effective for fiscal
years ending after December 15, 1997. FAS 130 requires that all components of
comprehensive income be displayed with the same prominence as other financial
statements. The Company adopted FAS 130 in fiscal year 1998 as required. The
reconciliation of net income to comprehensive income is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Three months ended 
                                                           March 31,
                                                      ------------------
                                                       1999       1998     
                                                      ------      -----    
<S>                                                   <C>         <C>      
Net income                                            $  785      $ 400    
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net               374       (228)   
                                                      ------      -----    
            Total comprehensive income                $1,159      $ 172    
                                                      ======      =====    
</TABLE>

                                  Page 6 of 17


<PAGE>   7

In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
131 ("FAS 131"), Disclosure About Segments of an Enterprises and Related
Information, which becomes effective for fiscal years ending after December 15,
1997. FAS 131 requires that future financial statements contain disclosures
about products and services, geographic areas and major customers related to its
reportable operating segments. The Company anticipates the adoption of FAS 131
will not have a significant effect on the Company's financial position or
results of operations.

In June 1998, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 133
(FAS 133), Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, which
becomes effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 1999. FAS 133
requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or
liabilities in the statement of financial position and measure those instruments
at fair value. The Company does not expect the adoption of FAS 133 to have a
significant impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

NOTE 4: DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

On February 26, 1998, the Company announced the discontinuance of its
orthodontic practices. On April 1, 1998, the Company completed the sale of its
orthodontic practices to Pacific Coast Dental, Inc./Associated Dental Services,
Inc., and affiliated dentists. The practices were sold for $15 million in 8.5%
long-term notes. The transaction included the sale of all assets and associated
liabilities of the orthodontic practices and a long-term commitment from the
purchaser to continue to provide orthodontic services to members of a subsidiary
of the Company. The assets of the orthodontic practices sold consist of accounts
receivable, supply inventory and dental equipment. The Company recorded a gain
of $2,403,000 net of $937,000 in taxes on the sale of the discontinued
orthodontic practices in the second quarter 1998.

In the fourth quarter of 1998 and as part of an ongoing review process, the
Company ascertained that some of the promissory notes granted to the Company by
the purchasers of certain general and orthodontic practices were not performing
at currently stated levels and such purchasers were unable to service such
promissory notes pursuant to the terms and conditions thereof. As a result, the
Company reduced the value of the promissory notes on its books so that they
reflect management's current estimate of their market value. Rather than the
Company exercising its right to foreclose on the promissory notes, the Company
entered into a Default Forbearance Agreement and an Irrevocable Power of
Attorney with the purchasers, which will enable the Company to either resell the
assets or promissory notes relating to the practices.

NOTE 5: CREDIT AGREEMENTS

On September 30, 1997, the Company completed a private placement of $32.5
million in long-term debt consisting of eight-year notes through John Hancock
Mutual Life Insurance Company ("Hancock"). The Company used the proceeds to
repay all of its long-term indebtedness and for general corporate purposes. The
senior notes (the "Notes") are unsecured and are due September 30, 2005, with a
principal payment of $6.5 million due on September 30, of each year starting in
2001. The interest rate for the loan is fixed at 7.91 percent. On January 29,
1998, the Company entered into a $8,000,000 revolving working capital credit
facility with Silicon Valley Bank (the "Bank"), all of which is currently being
utilized by the Company. The loan had a maturity date of January 28, 1999, and
is currently due and payable. The interest rate for the facility, as amended,
was established at the Bank's Prime rate, plus 1.5 percent or at the Company's
option, LIBOR plus 2.25 percent. The loan is secured by a first priority
security interest in all the personal property of the Company, including
accounts receivable, fixed assets and intangibles and a negative pledge on the
stock of the Company's subsidiaries and on the real property owned by the
Company. In connection with the Bank and Hancock loan, the Company is subject to
certain financial and operational debt covenants.

As a result of underperforming notes related to the sale of the dental offices
that were previously sold and discontinued, a reduction in the value of the
Company's former headquarters building in Anaheim, California, which the Company
is in the process of selling, severance payments to a number of former employees
who left the Company in the fourth quarter of 1998 as a result of the Company's
continuing efforts to streamline its operations, and expenses for a reduction in
its account receivable balances which may be uncollectible, as ascertained after
the Company completed its systems conversion in October 1998. As of the end of
the fourth quarter of 1998, the Company was not in compliance with such covenant
requirements.


                                  Page 7 of 17


<PAGE>   8

As a result of these conditions, the Company reached an agreement in principle
with Hancock to restructure the debt owed by the Company. The Notes will be
modified to provide for an interest rate increase from 7.91% to 9.91% from the
date that the Company and Hancock execute definitive documents. Thereafter, the
interest rate will decrease to 8.91% and then to 7.91% after the Company has
satisfied certain conditions. The Company will also be responsible for all
reasonable out-of-pocket attorneys' fees and costs, and consultant's fee
incurred by Hancock after January 1, 1999. In consideration of this agreement,
Hancock has waived all existing defaults or events of defaults through April 28,
1999, or such mutually agreed to extended date thereafter, and extended the due
date for the payment of interest due on March 30, 1999. The sale of certain
assets of the Company will also not be considered an event of default under the
agreement with Hancock so long as the proceeds are used to repay Hancock in
accordance with the amendments to the agreement.

Various technical terms, covenants and provisions of the agreement relating to
consolidated net worth, interest expense coverage and limitation on consolidated
total debt will be amended. New provisions will include a requirement for the
Company to provide Hancock of any notice of intent to audit received by the
Company from any regulatory agency, copies of correspondence from any regulatory
agency and the Company's response thereto. In addition, the Company is not to
declare dividends or other distributions, and not incur any liens on the
Company's subsidiary's stock. The Company is also required to provide
consolidated financial reports and cash flows at regular intervals. The Company
is also required to pay from the proceeds of certain sales of assets owned by
the Company, specified amounts to Hancock on a prorata basis, including the sale
of the Company's former headquarters building (the "Building"), and certain
promissory notes owned by the Company.

The agreement in principal also provides that prior to December 31, 1999, the
Company may satisfy all of the financial obligations due to Hancock without
prepayment penalty. The Company is also responsible for issuing to Hancock
non-transferable and cancelable warrants representing the right to acquire
382,000 shares of the Company's common stock, which are exercisable at any time
after January 1, 2000, and prior to December 31, 2003, at a price per share
equal to $1 above the twenty day weighted average of the NASDAQ closing price
for the Company's stock for such twenty days prior to and including the closing
date. However, the warrants will be automatically canceled on the date the
Company's debt to Hancock is satisfied in full by December 31, 1999. Certain
"piggyback" and demand registration rights with respect to the warrants have
been granted to Hancock.

Additional principal and collateral payments are required under the agreement,
including payment of a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Building,
and with all appropriate regulatory approval, the payment of funds derived from
the sale of certain promissory notes granted to the dental office subsidiary of
the Company in connection with the sale of the general dental and orthodontic
practices previously owned by the Company, and a portion of the Company's 1998
federal tax refund.

The Company has also reached an agreement in principle with the Bank to extend
the maturity date of the existing obligation to January 29, 2000. The interest
rate which shall be paid by the Company to the Bank from and after the closing
date will be equal to the prime interest rate, plus 4%. Thereafter, the rate
shall be prime plus 3% and then the rate shall be prime plus 1.5% thereafter
until paid in full upon the Company satisfying certain conditions. The Company
is also required to make certain principal payment reductions during specified
periods and in specified amounts, consisting of the payment of proceeds received
from the sale of certain promissory notes owned by the Company, and certain
promissory notes, after appropriate regulatory approval is received, owned by a
subsidiary of the Company relating to previously sold general dental and
orthodontic dental practices, the payment of a portion of the 1998 federal tax
refund, and a portion of the net cash proceeds of the sale of Building. The
Company also granted to Hancock and the Bank a first priority deed of trust on
the Building, delivery of any promissory notes given to the Company in
connection with the sale of the Building, and certain other promissory notes
owned by the Company, to a collateral agent for the benefit of Hancock and the
Bank.

The agreement in principal also provides that prior to the extended maturity
date, the Company may repay the Bank in full without penalty. The Company is
obligated to pay reasonable out-of-pocket attorneys' fees and costs incurred by
the Bank through the closing date, and certain consulting fees for consultants
required to be hired by the Company.


                                  Page 8 of 17


<PAGE>   9
 
In consideration of the agreement, the Bank waives all existing defaults and
has extended the payment obligation of outstanding principal and interest due to
the Bank while definitive documents are prepared. Additionally, the Company will
provide the Bank with monthly consolidated financial statements and covenants
compliance certificates, all Securities and Exchange Commissions filings, and
other financial documents as they may reasonably request, and the same notice
requirements as described above. Certain standard conditions are required as a
condition of closing.

Although there is an agreement in principal to restructure the Company's debt to
Hancock and the Bank, no assurance can be given that the parties will execute
definitive and binding agreements with respect to such debt restructure.

NOTE 6: RESTATEMENT OF QUARTERLY INFORMATION

The results for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 were restated as follows (in
000's):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                              As Previously                
                                                         Recorded      As Restated  
                                                       -------------   -----------  
<S>                                                    <C>             <C>          
Current Assets:                                                                     
   Cash                                                  $  1,851       $  1,851    
   Investments available for sale                           4,860          4,860    
   Investments held to maturity                             4,272          4,272    
   Accounts and notes receivable, net                       7,894          7,894    
   Income tax receivable                                      132            132    
   Prepaid and other current assets                         1,378          1,021    
   Net assets of discontinued operations                    5,143          5,143    
   Deferred income taxes                                    1,608          1,608    
                                                         --------       --------    
                    Total current assets                   27,138         26,781    
Long-term assets:                                                                   
   Property and equipment, net                              9,729          9,684    
   Investments held to maturity, long-term                  5,182          5,182    
   Notes receivable, long-term                             12,389         12,389    
   Other assets                                               247            247    
   Intangibles and goodwill, net                           34,111         34,111    
                                                         --------       --------    
                    Total long-term assets                 61,658         61,613    
                                                         --------       --------    
Total Assets                                             $ 88,796       $ 88,394    
                                                         ========       ========    
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity                                                
Current liabilities:                                                                
   Short-term notes payable                              $ 10,500       $ 10,500    
   Current portion of note payable                          1,692          1,692    
   Accounts payable and accrued expenses                    3,484          3,552    
   Income taxes payable                                       427            221    
   Reserve for dental claims                                3,331          3,331    
   Deferred revenues                                        1,198          1,198    
                                                         --------       --------    
                    Total  current liabilities             20,632         20,494    
Long-Term Liabilities:                                                              
   Long-term debt                                          32,500         32,500    
   Note payable                                             1,096          1,096    
   Deferred income taxes                                    1,000          1,000    
   Accrued compensation agreement                             374            374    
                                                         --------       --------    
                    Total long-term liabilities            34,970         34,970    
Stockholders' Equity:                                                               
   Common stock                                            21,509         21,509    
   Retained earnings                                       30,479         30,215    
   Accumulated other comprehensive income                    (671)          (671)   
   Treasury stock, at cost                                (18,123)       (18,123)   
                                                         --------       --------    
                    Total stockholders' equity             33,194         32,930    
                                                         --------       --------    
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity               $ 88,796       $ 88,394    
                                                         ========       ========    
</TABLE>


                                  Page 9 of 17


<PAGE>   10

NOTE 6:  RESTATEMENT OF QUARTERLY INFORMATION (CONTINUED)

The income statement for the period January 1, 1998 to March 31, 1998, was
restated as follows (in 000's except per share data):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                     As Previously
                                                Recorded      As Restated 
                                              -------------   ----------- 
<S>                                           <C>             <C>       
Health care revenues                           $24,395         $24,396    
                                                                          
Health care expenses                            16,431          16,431    
Selling, general and administrative              6,830           7,300    
                                               -------         -------    
Total expenses                                  23,261          23,731    
                                                                          
Other expense                                      970             970    
Interest expense                                  (922)           (922)   
                                               -------         -------    
                                                                          
Income from continuing operations                1,182             713    
Provision for income taxes                         519             313    
                                               -------         -------    
                                                                          
Net Income                                     $   663         $   400    
                                               =======         =======    
                                                                          
Basic earnings per share:                                                 
   Net income (loss) per share                 $  0.14         $  0.08    
   Weighted average shares                       4,747           4,747    
                                                                          
Diluted earnings per share:                                               
   Net income(loss) per share                  $  0.14         $  0.08    
                                                 4,820           4,820    
</TABLE>


ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS

The following information should be read in conjunction with the attached
consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        1999 versus 1998     
                                                       Three months ended    
                                                             March 31,       
                                                     ----------------------- 
                                                     Increase/       Percent 
Results of operations (000's omitted)                (Decrease)       Change 
-------------------------------------                ----------      ------- 
<S>                                                  <C>             <C>     
Health care revenues                                   $ 359            1.5  
Health care expenses                                   $  11            0.1  
Selling, general and administrative expenses           $ 412            5.6  
Other income, net                                      $ 582           60.0  
Interest expense                                       $  25            2.7  
Net income                                             $ 385           96.3  
</TABLE>

1999 Versus 1998

Health care revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 1999 were $24,755, or a
1.5% increase on a decrease of 1.7% in membership over the corresponding period
a year ago. Notwithstanding the loss of two private label HMO relationships,
which provided lower than average revenues per member per month, the Company was
successful in replacing these accounts with business that counteracted the
effect of the business lost.


                                  Page 10 of 17


<PAGE>   11

Health care expenses for the three months ended March 31, 1999 increased $11, or
0.1%. Health care expense as a percentage of health care revenues improved by
1.0% from 67.4% of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 1998, to 66.4%
for the same period in 1999. This improvement was primarily as a result of the
effect of the continued improvements in the Company's health care cost ratios in
its existing business as well as cost control measures implemented in recent
quarters.

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March
31, 1999, increased $412, or 31.2% of revenue compared to 29.9% of revenue for
the same period a year ago. This was impacted by the Company's relocation of its
Corporate and Western Region operations from Anaheim, California to Aliso Viejo,
California and the associated costs which were offset to some extent by savings
realized in other operating areas.

Other income for the three months ended March 31, 1999 was $1,552, which
increased from $970 for the same period a year ago. This was largely due to
gains on the sale of certain securities coupled with interest recorded on notes
receivable resulting from the sale of certain dental practices. Interest expense
of $947 for the three months ended March 31, 1999 is the result of the interest
associated with the Notes and the $8 million revolving working capital credit
facility. This represents an increase of $25 from $922 for the same period in
1998.

Net income for the three months ended March 31, 1999, was $785, which changed
from the same period in 1998 due to the above discussed factors. Net income for
the same period in 1998 was $399.

Business Segment Information

The Company is engaged in a single business segment: the provision of dental
benefits to employer groups, associations and individuals.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company's capital and operational cash requirements have been met
principally from operating cash flows, and corporate borrowings, and this is
expected to continue.

At March 31, 1999, the current ratio was 1.4 to 1.0. The Company's net worth was
$22.9 million compared to $33.2 million a year earlier. The Company had $10.3
million of cash and investments as of March 31, 1999 compared to $10.4 million a
year earlier. As a result of its regulated nature, the Company is required to
maintain various regulatory bank accounts in an aggregate amount of
approximately $9.0 million to satisfy depository requirements imposed by state
regulatory agencies. Due to the significant cash and investments maintained by
the Company, these requirements do not pose a significant liquidity burden on
the Company. The Company believes that cash flow from continuing operations,
together with the existing cash and investments on hand and other available
sources of financing, should be adequate to meet operating capital and
regulatory needs for the foreseeable future.

Credit Facilities

Please see information set forth in Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements herein.

Impact of Inflation

Management believes that the Company's operations are not materially affected by
inflation. The Company believes that a majority of its costs are capitated or
fixed in nature and are directly related to membership levels, and therefore
related to premium levels.


                                  Page 11 of 17


<PAGE>   12

Risk Factors

In addition to the Risk Factors set forth in the Company's 1998 Annual Report on
Form 10-K, we have received a letter from NASDAQ indicating that the Company no
longer meets the tangible net asset requirement for continued listing on the
NASDAQ National Market under Maintenance Standard Number 1. We have provided
NASDAQ our proposal for achieving compliance, which we believe may result in our
meeting all NASDAQ National Market listing requirements under Maintenance
Standard Number 2, although no assurance can be made that after the applicable
hearing and appeal periods, we will be able to maintain our NASDAQ National
Market listing. In such event, the trading ability of our stock may be impaired.

Year 2000 Compliance

Company's State of Readiness

The Company relies heavily upon information technology ("IT") systems and other
systems and facilities such as telephones, building access control systems and
heating and ventilation equipment ("embedded systems") to conduct its business.
The Company also has business relationships with dental health care providers,
financial institutions and other third parties ("Vendors") as well as regulators
and customers who are themselves reliant upon IT and embedded systems to conduct
their business.

As part of the Company's proactive approach to automation, the Company began
planning an awareness activity as early as January 1996 and incorporated Year
2000 compliance into its business continuity plans. As a result, the Company
purchased and is in the final implementation process of upgrading any and all
information systems software and hardware. The implementation of such new and
upgraded computer information systems will recognize the Year 2000 and process
date data correctly, including the Company's manipulation of data when dates are
in the 20th or 21st century. The Company executed its initial steps in 1996 when
it continued to enhance its information systems, including all hardware and
software products, individually and in combination, to better manage operational
resources and analysis of data. A review was also performed to determine the
future needs of the Company and to enhance technology to better enable the
Company to provide its services. In addition, as a foundation for developing and
executing its Year 2000 compliance program, SafeGuard utilized and integrated
Year 2000 compliance programs developed by both Federal and State governments
and corporate industry leaders. Moreover, SafeGuard developed a comprehensive
five-phase approach for all of its Year 2000 program activities and management
processes. The five phases are included in the following table and indicates the
percentage completed as of March 31, 1999.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Anticipated   
Program Goals                    Start Date     Date Completed   Completion Date 
-------------                    ----------     --------------   --------------- 
<S>                              <C>            <C>              <C>             
Planning and Awareness           1 Jan 1996       1 Jun 1997           N/A       
Assessment                       1 Jun 1996       1 Jan 1998           N/A       
Renovation                       1 Dec 1996       1 Jan 1999           N/A       
Validation                       1 Jan 1997       In Process       1 Jun 1999    
Implementation                   1 Jun 1996       In Process       1 Jun 1999    
</TABLE>

The Company's five-phase comprehensive approach is as follows:

(1)     Phase 1: Planning and Awareness - identify all IT and other systems and
        facilities and risk rate each according to its potential business
        impact;


                                  Page 12 of 17

<PAGE>   13

(2)     Phase 2: Assessment - identify IT and other systems and facilities that
        utilize date functions and assessing them for Year 2000 functionality;

(3)     Phase 3: Renovation - reprogram or replace when necessary, inventoried
        items to ensure that they are Year 2000 compliant;

(4)     Phase 4: Validation - test the code modifications and new inventory of
        other associated systems, including extensive date testing and
        performing quality assurance testing to ensure successful operation in a
        post-1999 environment; and

(5)     Phase 5: Implementation of Year 2000 Compliant IT and other systems.

As indicated in the above-referenced chart, the Company completed Phase 1
Planning and Awareness on or about June 1, 1997, Phase 2 Assessment on or about
January 1, 1998, and Phase 3 Renovation of all of its IT and other systems and
related facilities on or about January 1, 1999. In addition, the Company
anticipates completing Phase 4 Validation and beginning Phase 5 Implementation
of such Year 2000 Compliant IT and other systems and facilities by June 1, 1999.

The Company has inventoried and risk rated substantially all of its embedded
systems. The results of these processes indicate that embedded systems should
not present a material Year 2000 risk to the Company. The Company's remaining
steps include testing selected embedded systems and remediating through
replacement and/or repair and certifying systems that exhibit Year 2000 issues.
The Company is focusing its testing and facilities such as data centers, service
centers and communication centers. The Company plans to complete the testing,
validation and implementation of these systems by June 1999. The Company has
also inventoried and risk rated its systems. Substantially all of the tested
systems have been found to be compliant.

As part of the Company's Year 2000 Compliance Program Planning/Awareness and
Assessment phases, the Company documented the state and condition of existing
systems and processes and conducted a thorough analysis of inventory and vendor
supplied systems and subsystems. The Company included information technology
systems and non-information technology systems.

The Company also faces the risk that one or more of its Vendors will not be able
to interact with the Company due to the Vendor's inability to resolve its own
Year 2000 issues, including those associated with its own external
relationships. The Company has completed its inventory of Vendors and risk rated
each external relationship based upon the potential business impact, available
alternatives and cost of substitution. Although the Company is diligently
working with its vendors regarding Year 2000 compliance, there can be no
guarantee that all of the Company's vendors will be Year 2000 compliant.

The Company has previously compiled a comprehensive list of any and all Vendors
and Vendor products, which was included in a Vendor identification matrix.
Although the Company does not currently rely upon external Vendors for
proprietary software or data services, all other Vendors have been identified
and have either stated their full compliance or partial compliance with
contingent solutions to Year 2000 issues. The Company believes that its Vendors
with which it has a material relationship are Year 2000 Compliant, based upon
such vendor's assurances. Nonmaterial Vendors of the Company currently have
provided either full and/or partial certification of compliance with the Year
2000 issue. The Company will continue to monitor such nonmaterial Vendor
compliance activity in order to determine the risk to overall company
operations.

As a result of the anticipated execution of the Renovation, Validation and
Implementation phases of the Company's Year 2000 Compliance Program, the Company
believes the Year 2000 issue will not have a material impact on the Company's
results or operations.


                                  Page 13 of 17


<PAGE>   14

Cost to Address Company's Year 2000 Issues

The cost the Company incurred to address Year 2000 Compliance issues from a
historical perspective is approximately $2.5 million. Whereas, the estimated
cost of the Company's completion of the final phases of renovation, validation
and implementation is estimated to be approximately $0.5 million. A large
majority of these costs are expected to be incremental expenses that will not
recur in Year 2000 or thereafter. The Company's current estimates primarily
reflect increased remediation and testing efforts. The source of funds for the
Year 2000 Compliance Program costs, including the percentage of the information
technology budget utilized for the program was $3.0 million. Year 2000
Compliance is critical to the Company. Therefore, the Company has redeployed
some resources from non-critical system enhancements to address Year 2000
issues. Due to the importance of IT systems to the Company's business,
management has not deferred the decision to make non-critical systems
enhancements Year 2000 ready. The Company does not expect these redeployments to
have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or result of
operations.

Risk and Contingency/Recovery Planning

The Company reasonably believes that its Year 2000 Compliance Program, which
involves the phases of planning and awareness, assessment, renovation,
validation and implementation should prevent the Year 2000 from having a
material effect on the Company's business or financial condition. However, if
the Company's Year 2000 issues were unresolved, potential consequences would
include, among other possibilities, the inability to accurately and timely
process benefits claims, update client groups' accounts, process financial
transactions, bill client groups, report accurate data to management,
shareholders, customers, regulators and others as well as business interruptions
or shutdowns, financial losses, reputational harm, increased scrutiny by
regulators and litigation related to Year 2000 issues. The Company is attempting
to limit the potential impact of the Year 2000 by monitoring the progress of its
own Year 2000 project and those of its critical Vendors by developing
contingency/recovery plans.

The Company has begun to develop contingency/recovery plans aimed at ensuring
the continuity of critical business functions before and after December 31,
1999. As part of that process, the Company has begun to develop reasonably
likely failure scenarios for its critical IT systems and external relationships
and the embedded systems. Once these scenarios are identified, the Company will
develop plans that are designed to reduce the impact on the Company, and provide
methods of returning to normal operations, if one or more of those scenarios
occur. The Company expects contingency/recovery planning to be substantially
complete by June 1, 1999.

To reduce the risk of the Company presented by the Year 2000, the Company has
also increased its on-hand supplies of inventory for printed documents and
materials that are provided to client groups, and has identified alternative
Vendors, whether such Vendors have previously provided assurances that they are
fully Year 2000 Compliant or are in the process of becoming Year 2000 Compliant.
Therefore, based upon the Company's proactive Year 2000 Compliance Program, the
Company anticipates that the Year 2000 issue will not have a material impact on
the Company's results or operations.

See "Safe Harbor Statement" heading for factors that could cause actual Year
2000 results to differ from the Company's expectations.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "1995 Act") provides a
"safe harbor" for forward-looking statements, so long as those statements are
identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful cautionary
statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those discussed in the statement. The Company desires to
take advantage of these safe harbor provisions


                                  Page 14 of 17


<PAGE>   15

The statements contained in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations concerning any future premium
pricing levels, future dental health care expense levels, the Company's ability
to continue to comply with the NASDAQ National Market listing standards, the
Company's ability to control health care, selling, general and administrative
expenses, items discussed under heading "Year 2000" and all other statements
that are not historical facts, are forward looking statements. Words such as
expects, projects, anticipates, intends, plans, believes, seeks or estimates, or
variations of such words and similar expressions are also intended to identify
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to
significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the
control of the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those
projected in the forward looking statements, if any, which statements involve
risks and uncertainties. The Company's ability to expand is affected by
competition not only in benefit program choices, but also the number of dental
plan competitors in the markets in which the Company operates. Certain large
employer groups and other purchasers of commercial dental health care services
continue to demand minimal premium rate increases, while limiting the number of
choices offered to employees. In addition, securing cost effective contracts
with dentists may become more difficult in part due to the increased competition
among dental plans for dentist contracts. The Company's profitability depends,
in part, on its ability to maintain effective control over health care costs,
while providing members with quality dental care. Factors such as levels of
utilization of dental health care services, new technologies, specialists costs,
and numerous other external influences may effect the Company's operating
results. Any critical unresolved Year 2000 issues at the Company or its Vendors
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations,
liquidity or financial condition. In addition, the Company's expectations about
the future costs and timely and successful completion of its Year 2000 Program
are subject to uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from what has been discussed above under the heading "Year 2000."
Factors that could influence the amount of future costs and the completion dates
and effectiveness of remediation, testing and certification and contingency
planning efforts include the Company's success in identifying IT systems and
embedded systems that contain two-digit year codes, the nature and amount of
required reprogramming, testing and certification, the rate and magnitude of
related labor and consulting costs, the availability of qualified personnel and
the success of the Company's external relationships in addressing their own Year
2000 issues. The Company's expectations for the future are based on current
information and evaluation of external influences. Changes in any one factor
could materially impact the Company's expectations relating to premium rates,
benefit plans offered, membership growth, the percentage of health care
expenses, and as a result, profitability and therefore, effect the forward
looking statements which may be included in these reports. In addition, past
financial performance is not necessarily a reliable indicator of future
performance. An investor should not use historical performance alone to
anticipate future results or future period trends.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company is not subject to material risk from interest rate or foreign
currency exchange rate fluctuations.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is a defendant in litigation arising in the normal course of
business. In the opinion of management, the defense costs and/or ultimate
outcome of such litigation is covered by insurance or will not have material
effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Please see information set forth in Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements herein.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

Please see information set forth in Notes 4 and 5 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements herein, and the section on Risk Factors in Part I., Item 2.


                                  Page 15 of 17

<PAGE>   16

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) Exhibits

 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                              DESCRIPTION
 -------                             -----------
  10.18      Default Forbearance Agreement and Irrevocable Power of Attorney, 
             dated as of February 12, 1999(1)

  27.1       Financial Data Schedule

--------------
(1) Referenced, disclosed and filed as an exhibit to Company's Annual Report on
    Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 1998.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K.

There were no reports on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the Securities and
Exchange Commission during the quarter ended March 31, 1999.




                                  Page 16 of 17


<PAGE>   17

                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Aliso
Viejo, State of California, on the 14th of May, 1999.


                                        SAFEGUARD HEALTH ENTERPRISES, INC.

                                        By: /s/ STEVEN J. BAILEYS, D.D.S.
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Steven J. Baileys, D.D.S.,
                                            Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


                                        By: /s/ ROBERT J. POMMERSHEIM
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Robert J. Pommersheim,
                                            Interim Chief Financial Officer
                                            (Chief Accounting Officer)



                                  Page 17 of 17


<PAGE>   18

                                 EXHIBIT LIST


 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                              DESCRIPTION
 -------                             -----------
  10.18      Default Forbearance Agreement and Irrevocable Power of Attorney, 
             dated as of February 12, 1999(1)

  27.1       Financial Data Schedule

--------------
(1) Referenced, disclosed and filed as an exhibit to Company's Annual Report on
    Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 1998.