The Queensland-based dentistry group 1300 Smiles has made good on its promise to try to make the most of a new wave of consolidation in Australia's $10 billion dental industry, as it conducts due diligence on the much-larger Maven dental group for a potential buyout.

1300 Smiles, which operates about 30 dental practices in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia, told the ASX on Wednesday that it was in ''confidential discussions'' with Maven's owner, New Zealand Stock Exchange (NZSE)-listed Abano Healthcare.