LONDON (ShareCast) - 1st Dental Laboratories, which supplies dental lab products to the dental profession, posted a wider loss for the last year after changes in the NHS.

“The turnover disruption that we encountered from April as a result of the changes in the NHS Primary Care Trusts does seem to have bottomed out and we can now expect that the new sales department will provide some organic growth,” said the group.

Pre-tax losses amounted to £1.59m for the year to November compared with a loss of £270,000 a year earlier, on turnover up 1.2% to £12.1m from £11.9m a year ago.

Underlying profit before amortisation, tax and exceptionals rose 93% to £303,000 from £157,000.

“We can expect to see further improvements throughout 2007 as we receive a full year's contribution from the changes last year. In addition, I am therefore confident about our prospects for 2007,” said chairman Andrew Garner.

• News Channel