RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER COSTS Provisions and Adjustments and Amounts Applied for All Plans by Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 9,258us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Restructuring Charges	5,587us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Amounts applied	(4,273)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
Change in estimates	(103)
Ending Balance	10,469us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Dental Consumables, Endodontic and Dental Laboratory Businesses
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	5,272
Restructuring Charges	489
Amounts applied	(1,626)
Change in estimates	0
Ending Balance	4,135
Healthcare, Orthodontic and Implant Businesses
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	3,828
Restructuring Charges	4,850
Amounts applied	(2,558)
Change in estimates	(103)
Ending Balance	6,017
Select Developed and Emerging Markets Businesses
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	91
Restructuring Charges	196
Amounts applied	(17)
Change in estimates	0
Ending Balance	270
All Other
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	67
Restructuring Charges	52
Amounts applied	(72)
Change in estimates	0
Ending Balance	$ 47

Amount of cash payments made as the result of exit or disposal activities. Excludes payments associated with a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

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Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

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-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

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Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b))

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Amount of any reversal and other adjustment made during the period to the amount of a previously accrued liability for a specified type of restructuring cost, excluding adjustments for costs incurred during the period, costs settled during the period, and foreign currency translation adjustments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Publisher SEC

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-Publisher FASB

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