SEGMENT INFORMATION Segment Operating Income (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
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment operating income	$ 127,106		$ 122,866		$ 232,676		$ 216,724
Restructuring and other costs	1,242		2,169		2,035		2,834
Interest expense	11,798		11,507		22,753		26,728
Interest income	(1,744)		(2,243)		(3,179)		(4,418)
Other expense (income), net	575		4,223		963		7,141
Income before income taxes	116,477		109,379		212,139		187,273
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment operating income	128,348		125,035		234,711		219,558
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	9,959		8,623		14,683		10,089
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	79,616		79,758		153,529		149,436
Operating Segments [Member] | Dental Consumables and Certain International Businesses [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment operating income	66,147		59,863		124,656		114,178
Operating Segments [Member] | All Other
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment operating income	$ (27,374)	[1]	$ (23,209)	[1]	$ (58,157)	[1]	$ (54,145)	[1]

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