GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Reconciliation of Changes in Goodwill (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]
Number of reporting units		13
Discount Rate Used In Goodwill Impairment Testing Upper Limit		11.50%
Discount Rate Used In Goodwill Impairment Testing Lower Limit		8.40%
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of the year	$ 2,210,953
Goodwill, Other Changes	0
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	(52,424)
Balance, end of the year	2,158,529
Dental Consumable and Laboratrory Businesses [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of the year	488,206
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	(2,773)
Balance, end of the year	485,433
Orthodontics/Canada/Mexico/Japan [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of the year	102,065
Goodwill, Other Changes	(4,364)
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	(3,568)
Balance, end of the year	94,133
Select Distribution Businesses [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of the year	92,473
Goodwill, Other Changes	(13,770)
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	(970)
Balance, end of the year	77,733
Implants/Endodontics/Healthcare/Pacific Rim [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of the year	1,528,209
Goodwill, Other Changes	18,134
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	(45,113)
Balance, end of the year	$ 1,501,230

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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