GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS Reconciliation of Changes in Goodwill (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 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	7,183
Balance, end of the year	2,218,136
Dental Consumable and Laboratrory Businesses [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of the year	488,206
Goodwill, Other Changes	(118,874)
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	913
Balance, end of the year	370,245
Orthodontics/Canada/Mexico/Japan [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of the year	102,065
Goodwill, Other Changes	(4,365)
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	(1,725)
Balance, end of the year	95,975
Select Distribution Businesses [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of the year	92,473
Goodwill, Other Changes	(12,192)
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	1,604
Balance, end of the year	81,885
Implants/Endodontics/Healthcare/Pacific Rim [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of the year	1,528,209
Goodwill, Other Changes	135,431
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	6,391
Balance, end of the year	$ 1,670,031