SEGMENT INFORMATION Segment Operating Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment operating income	$ 97,709		$ 105,570
Restructuring and other costs	5,426		793
Interest expense	10,668		10,955
Interest income	(742)		(1,435)
Other expense (income), net	609		388
Income before income taxes	87,174		95,662
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment operating income	126,050		130,001
Operating Segments | Dental Consumables, Endodontic and Dental Laboratory Businesses
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment operating income	103,407		106,769
Operating Segments | Healthcare, Orthodontic and Implant Businesses
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment operating income	26,529		24,524
Operating Segments | Select Developed and Emerging Markets Businesses
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment operating income	(3,886)		(1,292)
Operating Segments | All Other
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Segment operating income	$ 22,915	[1]	$ 23,638	[1]

[1] Includes the results of unassigned Corporate headquarter costs, inter-segment eliminations and one distribution warehouse not managed by named segments.