Equity Method Investments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Equity Method Investments

 Equity Method Investments

On July 25, 2016, we acquired a 17% equity interest, on a fully diluted basis, in SmileDirectClub, LLC (“SDC”) for $46.7 million, and account for this as an equity method investment. Thus, we include our proportional share of SDC's earnings or losses in our consolidated statement of operations. The investment is reported on our consolidated balance sheet as a single amount under Equity Method Investments, and we record our share of their operating results within Equity in losses of investee in our consolidated statement of operations. As of September 30, 2016, the balance of our equity method investments was $46.3 million.

Concurrently with the investment, on July 25, 2016, we also entered into a supply agreement with SDC to manufacture clear aligners for SDC's doctor-led, at-home program for simple teeth straightening. The term of the supply agreement expires on December 31, 2019. We commenced supplying aligners to SDC in October 2016. The sale of aligners to SDC and the income from under the supply agreement will be reported in our Clear Aligner business segment after eliminating outstanding intercompany transactions.