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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

         As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
incorporation by reference in this registration statement of our reports dated
(i) May 2, 1997 (except with respect to the matter discussed in the last
paragraph of Note 1 as to which the date is July 25, 1997), related to the
balance sheet of OrthAlliance, Inc. (a development-stage-enterprise, a Delaware
corporation, formerly Premier Orthodontic Holdings, Inc.) as of December 31,
1996 and related statements of operations, stockholder's equity, and cash flows
for the period from inception (October 21, 1996) to December 31, 1996; (ii)
April 4, 1997 related to the balance sheet of US Orthodontic Care, Inc. (a
development-stage enterprise and a Georgia corporation) as of December 31, 1996
and the related statements of operations, shareholder's deficit, and cash flows
for the period from inception (February 7, 1996) to December 31, 1996; (iii)
April 11, 1997 related to the balance sheet of Premier Orthodontic Group, Inc.
(a development-stage enterprise and a Delaware corporation) as of December 31,
1996 and the related statements of operations, owner's deficit, and cash flows
for the period from inception (November 26, 1996) to December 31, 1996, and to
all references to our Firm included in this registration statement.


                                    /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP


                                    ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Los Angeles, California
March 24, 1998