Goodwill by Reportable Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 2,281,596	$ 2,210,953
Acquisition activity	52,899
Goodwill, Other Changes	0
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	610
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	17,134
Dental Consumable and Laboratrory Businesses [Member]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill	421,282	488,206
Acquisition activity	42,998
Goodwill, Other Changes	(111,766)
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	0
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	1,844
Select Distribution Businesses [Member]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill	66,534	92,473
Acquisition activity	0
Goodwill, Other Changes	(29,510)
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	0
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	3,571
Orthodontics/Canada/Mexico/Japan [Member]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill	95,169	102,065
Acquisition activity	0
Goodwill, Other Changes	(4,365)
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	0
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	(2,531)
Implants/Endodontics/Healthcare/Pacific Rim [Member]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Line Items]
Goodwill	1,698,611	1,528,209
Acquisition activity	9,901
Goodwill, Other Changes	145,641
Goodwill, Purchase Accounting Adjustments	610
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	$ 14,250