COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Balances included in AOCI, Net of Tax, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ (441,136)
Net (decrease) increase in other comprehensive income	(68,470)	71,805
Ending balance	(573,567)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(212,490)	140,992
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(189,451)	(1,107)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Net (decrease) increase in other comprehensive income	(189,451)	(1,107)
Foreign currency translation related to acquisition of noncontrolling interests		(5,530)
Ending balance	(401,941)	134,355
Gain and (Loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(10,825)	(21,753)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	20,919	642
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(3,535)	2,091
Net (decrease) increase in other comprehensive income	17,384	2,733
Foreign currency translation related to acquisition of noncontrolling interests		0
Ending balance	6,559	(19,020)
Gain and (Loss) on Derivative Financial Instruments Designated as Net Investment Hedges
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(112,728)	(151,114)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	7,368	(976)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Net (decrease) increase in other comprehensive income	7,368	(976)
Foreign currency translation related to acquisition of noncontrolling interests		0
Ending balance	(105,360)	(152,090)
Net Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Available-for-Sale Securities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	8,481	12,729
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	30,851	(2,041)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Net (decrease) increase in other comprehensive income	30,851	(2,041)
Foreign currency translation related to acquisition of noncontrolling interests		0
Ending balance	39,332	10,688
Pension Liability Adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(113,574)	(49,916)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	(154)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	1,417	472
Net (decrease) increase in other comprehensive income	1,417	318
Foreign currency translation related to acquisition of noncontrolling interests		0
Ending balance	(112,157)	(49,598)
Total DENTSPLY International Equity
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(441,136)	(69,062)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(130,313)	(3,636)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,118)	2,563
Net (decrease) increase in other comprehensive income	(132,431)	(1,073)
Foreign currency translation related to acquisition of noncontrolling interests		(5,530)
Ending balance	$ (573,567)	$ (75,665)