EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract]

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

The dilutive effect of outstanding non-qualified stock options and RSU is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:

	Three Months Ended
Basic Earnings Per Common Share Computation
(in thousands, except per share amounts)	2012		2011
Net income attributable to DENTSPLY International	$	53,284	$	69,084
Common shares outstanding	141,721		141,614
Earnings per common share - basic	$	0.38	$	0.49
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share Computation
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income attributable to DENTSPLY International	$	53,284	$	69,084
Common shares outstanding	141,721		141,614
Incremental shares from assumed exercise of dilutive options from stock-based compensation awards	2,263		2,430
Total shares	143,984		144,044
Earnings per common share - diluted	$	0.37	$	0.48

Options to purchase 4.1 million shares of common stock that were outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2012, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share since the exercise prices for these options were greater than the average market price of the common shares and, therefore, the effect would be antidilutive.  There were 4.3 million antidilutive shares of common stock outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2011.