SEGMENT INFORMATION Net Sales, Excluding Precious Metal Content (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Statement [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	$ 730,898		$ 715,955		$ 1,420,081		$ 1,388,604
Precious metal content of sales	34,327		45,055		75,258		104,490
Net Sales, including precious metal content	765,225		761,010		1,495,339		1,493,094
Operating Segments [Member] | Healthcare and Emerging Markets Businesses [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	139,648		132,833		264,450		254,296
Net Sales, including precious metal content	139,848		133,054		264,794		254,793
Operating Segments [Member] | Dental Specialty and Laboratory Businesses [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	408,631		413,386		800,312		802,302
Net Sales, including precious metal content	442,655		458,128		875,062		906,105
Operating Segments [Member] | Dental Consumables and Certain International Businesses [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	183,638		170,596		357,552		334,205
Net Sales, including precious metal content	183,741		170,688		357,716		334,395
Operating Segments [Member] | All Other
Statement [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	(1,019)	[1]	(860)	[1]	(2,233)	[1]	(2,199)	[1]
Net Sales, including precious metal content	$ (1,019)	[2]	$ (860)	[2]	$ (2,233)	[2]	$ (2,199)	[2]

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

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