Exhibit (A)



     Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 33-89786) of DENTSPLY
International Inc. of our report dated June 21, 2004 relating to
the financial statements of the DENTSPLY International Inc.
401(k) Savings Plan, which appears in this Form 11-K for the year
ended December 31, 2003.

/s/ Beard Miller Company LLP

York, PA
June 28, 2004