SEGMENT INFORMATION Net Sales (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012
Net sales	$ 761,010		$ 762,994		$ 1,493,094		$ 1,479,407
Dental Consumable and Laboratrory Businesses [Member]
Net sales	255,223		266,244		519,852		521,379
Orthodontics/Canada/Mexico/Japan [Member]
Net sales	82,079		83,195		153,414		153,549
Select Distribution Businesses [Member]
Net sales	66,115		63,753		126,929		122,846
Implants/Endodontics/Healthcare/Pacific Rim [Member]
Net sales	358,453		352,657		695,097		685,802
All Other
Net sales	$ (860)	[1]	$ (2,855)	[1]	$ (2,198)	[1]	$ (4,169)	[1]

[1] (a) Includes amounts recorded at Corporate headquarters