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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 KwSlj9xO3ltX/8d1O4TwFQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-04-018052.txt : 20040330
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-04-018052.hdr.sgml : 20040330
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040330153549
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-04-018052
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040326
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040330

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ORTHODONTIC CENTERS OF AMERICA INC /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000931702
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-HEALTH SERVICES [8000]
		IRS NUMBER:				721278948
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3850 N CAUSEWAY BLVD
		STREET 2:		STE 800
		CITY:			METAIRIE
		STATE:			LA
		ZIP:			70002
		BUSINESS PHONE:		504-834-4392

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3850 N CAUSEWAY BLVD
		STREET 2:		STE 800
		CITY:			METAIRIE
		STATE:			LA
		ZIP:			70002

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			TRYFOROS THOMAS N
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000897542

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13457
		FILM NUMBER:		04700732

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		323 RAILROAD AVE
		CITY:			GREENWICH
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06830
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2036611200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		323 RAILROAD AVE
		CITY:			GREENWICH
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06830
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd37955.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 REPORTING PIPS 03/26/04 TRADE IN OCA
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-03-26</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000931702</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ORTHODONTIC CENTERS OF AMERICA INC /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>OCA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000897542</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>TRYFOROS THOMAS N</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>323 RAILROAD AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GREENWICH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06830</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Member of Section 13(d) Group</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-03-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2200</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>7.36</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>272200</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By Prescott Investors Profit Sharing Trust</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares are owned directly by Prescott Investors Profit Sharing Trust (&quot;PIPS&quot;), a member of a Section 13(d) Reporting Group, and indirectly by the Reporting Person as a trustee of PIPS. The Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares in excess of his interest under 16a-8(b)(2). The address for PIPS is 323 Railroad Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Thomas N. Tryforos</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-03-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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