American Dental Partners, Inc. Reports First QuarterResults.

WAKEFIELD, Mass.--(BW HealthWire)--May 11, 1998--American Dental Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ:ADPI) today reported first quarter earnings for the period ended March 31, 1998.

Comparing the first quarter of 1998 with the same period in 1997:

-- Net revenue grew to $18.2 million from

of 63%.

-- Earnings from operations increased to $1.2 million from $145,000.

-- Net earnings increased to $469,000 from $172,000.

-- Diluted net earnings (loss) per share increased to $0.06 from

($0.06).

Gregory A. Serrao, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Dental Partners said, "We are pleased with our first quarter results, which were driven by an increase in the number of new affiliates as well as the expansion and improved operating performance of our existing affiliates. We continue to attract outstanding dental groups to the Company, which is the main contributor to our success."

In January 1998, the Company completed an affiliation with Associated Dental Care Providers, P.C., with operations in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. With this affiliation, the Company now operates six dental facilities with 51 operatories in Arizona. The Company also recently completed transactions with three dental practices in Wisconsin and Louisiana which joined existing affiliates in those markets.

Effective April 16, 1998, the Company sold 2,250,000 shares of Common Stock in an initial public offering ("IPO") at $15 per share. Effective May 4, 1998, the Company sold an additional 337,500 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the over-allotment option granted to the underwriters. Net proceeds to the Company totaled approximately $34.6 million and were used primarily to redeem the Series B Redeemable Preferred Stock and repay outstanding debt under the Company's revolving credit facility. The remaining balance will be used for general corporate purposes, including affiliations with additional dental group practices.

American Dental Partners, Inc. is one of the nation's leading dental practice management companies. The Company is affiliated with ten dental group practices and currently operates 90 dental facilities with 679 operatories located in Arizona, Louisiana, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.

Note: Except for historical information, all other statements provided in this press release are "forward-looking" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company's actual results may vary materially from the forward-looking statements made above due to important factors such as: a limited operating history; risks associated with the Company's acquisition strategy; management of rapid growth; dependence upon affiliated dental groups; and dependence upon service agreements and government regulation of the dental industry. These and other risk factors that could materially affect financial results are further described in the Company's Form S-1 Registration Statement (file No. 333-39981).

-0-

                    AMERICAN DENTAL PARTNERS, INC.
                         FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
               (in thousands, except per share amounts)


                                                  Three Months Ended
                                                       March 31,
                                                  1998         1997
                                                      (unaudited)

Net revenue                                     $ 18,171     $ 11,226
Operating expenses:
  Salaries and benefits                            9,649        6,189
  Lab fees and dental supplies                     2,196        1,334
  Office occupancy                                 1,609        1,008
  Other operating expenses                         1,645        1,366
  General corporate expenses                         975          735
  Depreciation                                       556          356
  Amortization of intangibles assets                 333           93

       Total operating expenses                   16,963       11,081

Earnings from operations                           1,208          145
  Interest expense (income), net                     439          (27)
Earnings before income taxes                         769          172
  Income taxes                                       300           --
  Net earnings                                  $    469     $    172

Net earnings (loss) per common share:
  Basic                                         $   0.06     $  (0.06)
  Diluted                                       $   0.06     $  (0.06)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
  Basic                                            2,429        2,213
  Diluted                                          2,632        2,213

-0-


                    AMERICAN DENTAL PARTNERS, INC.
                         FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                            (in thousands)


                                       Pro Forma
                                       March 31,   March 31,  Dec. 31,
                                         1998        1998      1997
                                           (unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents             $11,807   $ 4,696   $ 4,675
  Receivables due from affiliated
   practices                              3,059     3,059     3,207
  Other current assets                    1,651     2,531     2,119

       Total current assets              16,517    10,286    10,001

Property and equipment, net               9,330     9,330     8,752
Non-current assets:
  Intangible assets, net                 32,381    32,381    28,975
  Other assets                              201       201       231

       Total non-current assets          32,582    32,582    29,206
       Total assets                     $58,429   $52,198   $47,959

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable and
   accrued expenses                     $ 7,706   $ 7,706   $ 8,468
  Current maturities of debt                840       840       774

       Total current liabilities          8,546     8,546     9,242

Non-current liabilities:
  Long-term debt                          4,917    25,467    21,253
  Other liabilities                         257       257       258

       Total liabilities                 13,720    34,270    30,753

Series A convertible preferred stock        --      8,806     8,641
Series B redeemable preferred stock         --      7,815     7,656

Stockholders' equity                     44,709     1,307       909
Commitments and contingencies

       Total liabilities and
        stockholders' equity            $58,429   $52,198   $47,959

-0-

CONTACT: American Dental Partners, Inc.

Gregory A. Serrao

781-224-0880

or

Ronald M. Levenson

781-224-0880