SEGMENT INFORMATION Segment Operating Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment operating income	$ 105,570		$ 93,858
Restructuring and other costs	793		665
Interest expense	10,955		15,221
Interest income	(1,435)		(2,175)
Other expense (income), net	388		2,918
Income before income taxes	95,662		77,894
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment operating income	106,363		94,523
Operating Segments [Member] | Healthcare and Emerging Markets Businesses [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment operating income	4,724		1,466
Operating Segments [Member] | Dental Specialty and Laboratory Businesses [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment operating income	73,913		69,678
Operating Segments [Member] | Dental Consumable Businesses [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment operating income	58,509		54,315
Operating Segments [Member] | All Other
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment operating income	$ (30,783)	[1]	$ (30,936)	[1]

[1] (d) Includes the results of Corporate headquarters, inter-segment eliminations and one distribution warehouse not managed by named segments.