SEGMENT INFORMATION Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ 5,072,373		$ 5,078,047
Operating Segments [Member] | Dental Consumables and Certain International Businesses [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	706,509		683,965
Operating Segments [Member] | Dental Specialty and Laboratory Businesses [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	3,346,528		3,364,190
Operating Segments [Member] | Healthcare and Emerging Markets Businesses [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	932,438		925,742
Operating Segments [Member] | All Other
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ 86,898	[1]	$ 104,150	[1]

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