SEGMENT INFORMATION Net Sales, Excluding Precious Metal Content (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012
Statement [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	$ 715,955		$ 698,480		$ 1,388,605		$ 1,364,106
Precious metal content of sales	45,055		64,514		104,489		115,301
Net Sales, including precious metal content	761,010		762,994		1,493,094		1,479,407
Dental Consumable and Laboratrory Businesses [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	218,794		211,604		430,824		423,713
Net Sales, including precious metal content	255,223		266,244		519,852		521,379
Orthodontics/Canada/Mexico/Japan [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	73,900		73,915		138,871		137,208
Net Sales, including precious metal content	82,079		83,195		153,414		153,549
Select Distribution Businesses [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	65,981		63,592		126,698		122,524
Net Sales, including precious metal content	66,115		63,753		126,929		122,846
Implants/Endodontics/Healthcare/Pacific Rim [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	358,140		352,224		694,410		684,830
Net Sales, including precious metal content	358,453		352,657		695,097		685,802
All Other
Statement [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	(860)	[1]	(2,855)	[1]	(2,198)	[1]	(4,169)	[1]
Net Sales, including precious metal content	$ (860)	[2]	$ (2,855)	[2]	$ (2,198)	[2]	$ (4,169)	[2]

[1] (b) Includes amounts recorded at Corporate headquarters

[2] (a) Includes amounts recorded at Corporate headquarters