COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net	$ 307.5	$ 117.1
Accumulated other comprehensive income(loss) rollforward [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning of Period	(441.1)
Tax (expense) benefit	(169.3)	(195.4)	$ (205.1)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(8.5)	8.8	5.8
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to DENTSPLY International	98.3	(49.1)	388.3
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), End of Period	(594.0)	(441.1)
Parent
Accumulated other comprehensive income(loss) rollforward [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning of Period	(441.1)	(69.1)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications and tax impact	(118.3)	(365.6)
Tax (expense) benefit	(26.1)	(9.7)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax, before reclassifications	(144.4)	(375.3)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(8.5)	8.8
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to DENTSPLY International	(152.9)	(366.5)
Foreign currency translation related to acquisition of noncontrolling interest		(5.5)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), End of Period	(594.0)	(441.1)	(69.1)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Accumulated other comprehensive income(loss) rollforward [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning of Period	(212.5)	141.0
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications and tax impact	(178.0)	(336.2)
Tax (expense) benefit	(9.5)	(11.8)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax, before reclassifications	(187.5)	(348.0)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(1.2)	0.0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to DENTSPLY International	(188.7)	(348.0)
Foreign currency translation related to acquisition of noncontrolling interest		(5.5)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), End of Period	(401.2)	(212.5)	141.0
Gain and (Loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
Accumulated other comprehensive income(loss) rollforward [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning of Period	(10.8)	(21.8)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications and tax impact	22.1	3.9
Tax (expense) benefit	(3.3)	0.1
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax, before reclassifications	18.8	4.0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(9.2)	7.0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to DENTSPLY International	9.6	11.0
Foreign currency translation related to acquisition of noncontrolling interest		0.0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), End of Period	(1.2)	(10.8)	(21.8)
Gain and (Loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments
Accumulated other comprehensive income(loss) rollforward [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning of Period	(112.7)	(151.1)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications and tax impact	4.5	62.4
Tax (expense) benefit	(2.0)	(24.0)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax, before reclassifications	2.5	38.4
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0.0	0.0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to DENTSPLY International	2.5	38.4
Foreign currency translation related to acquisition of noncontrolling interest		0.0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), End of Period	(110.2)	(112.7)	(151.1)
Net Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Available-for-Sale Securities
Accumulated other comprehensive income(loss) rollforward [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning of Period	8.5	12.7
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications and tax impact	(6.8)	(6.1)
Tax (expense) benefit	2.0	1.9
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax, before reclassifications	(4.8)	(4.2)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(3.7)	0.0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to DENTSPLY International	(8.5)	(4.2)
Foreign currency translation related to acquisition of noncontrolling interest		0.0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), End of Period	0.0	8.5	12.7
Pension Liability Adjustments
Accumulated other comprehensive income(loss) rollforward [Roll Forward]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning of Period	(113.6)	(49.9)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications and tax impact	39.9	(89.6)
Tax (expense) benefit	(13.3)	24.1
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax, before reclassifications	26.6	(65.5)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	5.6	1.8
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to DENTSPLY International	32.2	(63.7)
Foreign currency translation related to acquisition of noncontrolling interest		0.0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), End of Period	(81.4)	(113.6)	$ (49.9)
Net Investment Hedging
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net	$ 93.7	$ 95.4