Document and Entity Information (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	BECTON DICKINSON & CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000010795
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float	$ 18,737,381,277
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	217,446,690