SEGMENT INFORMATION Net Sales, Excluding Precious Metal Content (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	$ 674,698	$ 730,898	$ 1,306,245	$ 1,420,081
Precious metal content of sales	23,308	34,327	48,081	75,258
Net Sales, including precious metal content	698,006	765,225	1,354,326	1,495,339
Operating Segments | Dental Consumables, Endodontic and Dental Laboratory Businesses
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	301,299	319,978	593,390	625,050
Net Sales, including precious metal content	317,376	346,264	627,693	685,545
Operating Segments | Healthcare, Orthodontic and Implant Businesses
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	252,665	279,478	488,476	543,681
Net Sales, including precious metal content	252,845	279,696	488,838	544,107
Operating Segments | Select Developed and Emerging Markets Businesses
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Net Sales, excluding precious metal content	120,734	131,442	224,379	251,350
Net Sales, including precious metal content	$ 127,785	$ 139,265	$ 237,795	$ 265,687