SEGMENT INFORMATION Net Sales, Excluding Precious Metal Content (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
Statement [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	$ 669,424		$ 647,120		$ 2,058,029		$ 2,011,225
Precious metal content of sales	34,594		48,614		139,083		163,916
Net Sales, including precious metal content	704,018		695,734		2,197,112		2,175,141
Operating Segments [Member] | Dental Consumable and Laboratrory Businesses [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	214,634		204,230		645,015		627,536
Net Sales, including precious metal content	242,281		244,215		761,691		765,186
Operating Segments [Member] | Orthodontics/Canada/Mexico/Japan [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	64,758		70,675		203,629		207,883
Net Sales, including precious metal content	71,298		78,761		224,712		232,310
Operating Segments [Member] | Select Distribution Businesses [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	65,914		59,387		192,612		181,911
Net Sales, including precious metal content	66,012		59,498		192,941		182,344
Operating Segments [Member] | Implants/Endodontics/Healthcare/Pacific Rim [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	325,233		313,295		1,020,086		998,532
Net Sales, including precious metal content	325,542		313,729		1,021,082		999,939
Operating Segments [Member] | All Other
Statement [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	(1,115)	[1]	(467)	[1]	(3,313)	[1]	(4,637)	[1]
Net Sales, including precious metal content	$ (1,115)	[2]	$ (469)	[2]	$ (3,314)	[2]	$ (4,638)	[2]

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

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