About Us

Our History

Abano Healthcare has a rich history in the Australasian health sector, previously running successful organisations within the aged care, diagnostics, rehabilitation, audiology and pathology sectors. While there was once an extensive portfolio of healthcare disciplines within the Abano Healthcare network, we now focus solely on the dental industry and caring for our patients' smiles.

1999 - 2002

Abano Healthcare was established in 1999, but at this time, was known as EldersCare New Zealand Limited. Initially, the group was focused on developing retirement village properties and aged care services.

A year later in 2000, the company repositioned and moved away from property development toward the medical and healthcare service business by acquiring Ranworth Healthcare - New Zealand's largest provider of brain injury rehabilitation services. Following this, in 2002, they ventured into the diagnostics sector by acquiring Medical Laboratory Wellings and Nelson Diagnostic Laboratory.

Laura's Team & Office Shoot 20211117 (30)

2003 - 2005

Late 2002 was the company's first acquisition in the dental industry - Geddes Dental Group in New Zealand.

A year later the Abano Healthcare Group Limited era began after a rebrand of the group in August 2003 was conducted to better reflect the move toward a multi-discipline healthcare and medical services organisation.

2005 saw the birth of the Lumino Dental brand as two new acquisitions are completed and Geddes Dental is rebranded.

The sale of ElderCare was also completed in 2005, marking the company's exit from the Aged Care Sector. Acquisition of 70% shareholding in Orthotics Centre (NZ) in late 2005, strengthening Abano Healthcare's position in the rehabilitation sector.

2006 - 2010

Final 30% shareholding in Orthotics Centre (NZ) acquired in FY 07/08.

Acquisitions and mergers saw Abano Healthcare enter the audiology sector through Bay Audiology which was further expanded into Australia in 2008 ending FY 2009/10 with 112 clinics across Australia and New Zealand.

A joint Venture with Australian multinational Sonic Healthcare created Aotea Pathology, Abano Healthcare's first step into the radiology sector. Partial acquisitions of Ascot Radiology and Greenlane Imaging in FY2007/08 & Insight Radiology in FY2009/10 expanded Abano Healthcare's footprint in radiology.

In June 2008, Abano Healthcare entered the Australian dental market through a partnership with start-up dental consolidator Dental Partners in which Abano held 70% ownership.  

The continued growth within the dental market saw Lumino Dental network expand to 42 dental practices and Dental Partners network grow to 19 practices by the end of the 2009/10 Financial Year.

Abano Healthcare ended the 2009/10 Financial year as Winners of the Best Growth Strategy Award at Deloitte/Management Magazine Top 200 Awards.

In June 2010, Abano Healthcare entered the NZX 50.

2011 - 2018

Period of extensive growth and focus on the Trans-Tasman Dental market. Abano Healthcare acquired the minority 30% shareholding in Dental Partners during the 2013/14 Financial Year. By the end of the 2014/15 FY, Lumino the Dentists would grow to 80 practices and Dental Partners would grow to 74 practices.

During this period Abano Healthcare exited the audiology, radiology, orthotics, and pathology markets in order to focus solely on the dental industry.

In 2016, Dental Partners was rebranded to Maven Dental and by the end of the 2017/18 financial year, the brand had grown to 118 locations in Australia. 

2019 - onward

In late 2019, Abano Healthcare received a takeover bid from BGH Capital and Ontario Teacher Pension backed consortium, Bidco. The two would enter a scheme of arrangement in 2020 before completing the deal in December of that year.  

In 2021, Abano Healthcare made its first acquisition under the Bidco era with a takeover of the 1300SMILES Dentists brand, adding 32 practices to their Australian portfolio. 

Abano Healthcare further expanded its New Zealand network in 2022 with the purchase of 22 dental practices from Bupa.

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