Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ 4,972,297		$ 4,755,398
Dental Consumable and Laboratory Businesses Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	1,007,307		1,180,001
OrthodonticsCanadaMexicoJapan Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	294,348		328,376
Select Distribution Businesses Segments
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	192,684		168,500
Implants/Endodontics/Healthcare/Pacific Rim Segments
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	3,195,382		2,881,591
All Other
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ 282,576	[1]	$ 196,930	[1]

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