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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 February 27, 1998
included in OrthoAlliance, Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1997, and to all references to our Firm included in this registration
statement.


                                            /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
                                            Arthur Andersen LLP

Los Angeles, California
August 12, 1998