Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands	Jun. 30, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ 3,656,643		$ 3,257,951
US, Germany and Certain Other European Regions Consumable Businesses
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	623,586		578,770
France, UK, Italy and Certain Other European Countries, CIS, Middle East, Africa, Pacific Rim Businesses
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	416,013		390,572
Canada/Latin America/Endodontics/Orthodontics
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	996,465		932,126
Dental Laboratory Business/Implants/Non-Dental
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	1,083,938		995,090
All Other
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ 536,641	[1]	$ 361,393	[1]

[1] Includes the assets of Corporate headquarters, inter-segment eliminations and one distribution warehouse not managed by named segments.