Dentis’ Largest Shareholder Maintains 28.71% Stake While Expanding Share-Backed Loans to Secure Global Expansion Funding

Dentis CEO and largest shareholder Shim Ki-bong has maintained a 28.71% stake, while the amount of share-backed loans has increased to more than 5.5 billion won. Securing liquidity without selling shares is viewed as a strategic move aimed at both stabilizing management control and expanding the company’s global business. As Dentis accelerates its entry into European and Southeast Asian markets with its premium implant brand AXEL, analysts say leadership stability for consistent decision-making is more important than ever.

Collateralized shares increase to 2.91 million, exceeding 18% of shares outstanding

According to the Financial Supervisory Service’s electronic disclosure system on the 16th, Shim Ki-bong disclosed a change to a contract under which he provided an additional 3,170,248 Dentis shares as collateral to Hana Securities. The contract was signed on Sept. 16, and its term runs from Sept. 17 through Dec. 21. The loan amount is 1,689,347,300 won, with an interest rate of 6.60%.

Including the existing collateral agreements, Shim Ki-bong has provided a total of 2,913,248 shares as collateral, equivalent to 18.43% of the company’s total shares outstanding. He pledged 770,000 shares to iM Bank and borrowed 1.4 billion won, while borrowing 2,461,920,000 won from Korea Securities Finance Corporation against 1,826,000 shares. Both agreements carry an interest rate of 5.04%, lower than the rate under the new Hana Securities agreement.

Shim Ki-bong personally holds 4,345,711 shares, or 27.48% of the total, while his stake including 14 specially related parties remained unchanged at 28.71% from the previous report. Among the specially related parties, Jeong Suk-kyung holds the largest stake, with 40,844 shares, or 0.26%. Shim Ki-bong stated in the disclosure that he exercises influence over the company as its largest shareholder, but added that there are no specific plans yet regarding the appointment or dismissal of directors, amendments to the articles of incorporation or dividend decisions.

Premium implant AXEL targets Europe and Southeast Asia simultaneously

Dentis’ aggressive global expansion strategy is behind its decision to take out share-backed loans instead of selling its stake. On Sept. 15, Dentis’ premium implant AXEL received “TRUSTED QUALITY” certification from the German Clean Implant Foundation (CIF) after its surface cleanliness and manufacturing quality were verified. The product passed random-sample testing, including scanning electron microscopy and elemental analysis, effectively receiving international recognition for quality and safety at the highest global level.

Dentis is also stepping up its push into the European market. From Sept. 4-7, the company participated in the FDI World Dental Congress 2026 in Prague, Czech Republic, where it presented premium implants and digital solutions to dental professionals from around the world. Results are also becoming visible in Southeast Asia. As a gold sponsor at VIDEC 2026, held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from Aug. 27-29, Dentis achieved tangible results by discussing product supply agreements with approximately 40 new clinics.

“We plan to develop Vietnam into a key base for targeting the Southeast Asian market by strengthening sales and academic marketing optimized for the local market,” a Dentis overseas business official said. “As the expansion of our local business gets underway in earnest, we may be able to generate tangible profitability as early as this year.”

At a crossroads between the risk of forced selling and earnings growth

An increase in the largest shareholder’s share-backed loans carries the risk of forced selling if the stock price declines. Because the shares pledged as collateral account for more than 18% of shares outstanding, a drop in the stock price below a certain level could trigger a forced sale and undermine management stability. The higher interest rate of 6.60%, compared with 5.04% under the existing agreements, also warrants attention because it increases the financial burden.

However, Dentis is scheduled to hold the large-scale global academic exchange event DENTIS Meeting in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, Vietnam, in December, with approximately 300 overseas medical professionals expected to participate. As the overseas sales share of its high-value premium lineup rises following the German CIF certification and consecutive participation in global exhibitions, financial concerns could gradually ease if clear earnings growth is achieved by year-end.