Press Release

• First quarter net sales increased 7.7%
• Non-GAAP earnings per share increased 2.3% to $0.44

YORK, Pa., April 29, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DENTSPLY International Inc.(Nasdaq:XRAY) today announced sales and earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2010. Net sales in the first quarter of 2010 increased 7.7% to $545.9 million compared to $506.9 million reported for the first quarter of 2009. Net sales, excluding precious metal content, were $497.5 million, a 6.8% increase compared to the first quarter of 2009. Net sales, excluding precious metal content, were favorably impacted by strengthening internal growth, the benefit of a weaker U.S. dollar in the period, and acquisitions. Net sales of dental consumable products and dental specialty products continued to generate positive internal growth in the period.

Net income attributable to DENTSPLY International for the first quarter of 2010 was $61.8 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, compared to $0.41 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2009. Net income attributable to DENTSPLY International in the first quarter of 2010 included the net of tax impact of restructuring and other costs of $2.8 million, a $0.4 million net of tax impact for acquisition-related activities and a net charge for income tax-related adjustments of $0.4 million. Net income attributable to DENTSPLY International in the first quarter of 2009 included the net of tax impact of restructuring and other costs of $1.0 million, a $1.1 million net of tax impact for acquisition-related activities and a net charge for income tax-related adjustments of $0.3 million. These items, in aggregate, reduced earnings on a net basis by $0.03 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2010 and $0.02 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2009.  For a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measure to earnings per share calculated according to GAAP, see the attached table.

Bret Wise, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated "We are beginning to see the early signs of growth returning to the dental markets in several geographies and product categories, and are also continuing to see momentum in a number of our businesses beyond market growth.  We are encouraged by the early results from the investments we made late last year in incremental sales and marketing resources, and continue to enjoy a robust pipeline of new product innovations.   These factors give us continued confidence in our full year 2010 earnings guidance of $1.90 to $2.00." This guidance for earnings per diluted share is on a non-GAAP basis, excluding restructuring and other costs, acquisition-related activities and income tax-related adjustments.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A conference call has been scheduled for Thursday, April 29, 2010 at 8:30 AM Eastern Time. A live broadcast is available through Shareholder.com by accessing DENTSPLY's website at www.dentsply.com. In order to participate in the call, dial (888) 778-9067 (for domestic calls) and (913) 312-0645 (for international calls). The Conference ID # is 3478481. At that time, you will be able to discuss the first quarter earnings with DENTSPLY's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bret Wise; President and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Chris Clark; and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. William Jellison.

A rebroadcast of the conference call will be available to the public on-line at the DENTSPLY website www.dentsply.com. You may also access a dial-in replay for one week following the call at (888) 203-1112 (for domestic calls) or (719) 457-0820 (for international calls), pass code # 3478481.

DENTSPLY designs, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of products for the dental market. The Company believes that it is the world's leading manufacturer and distributor of dental prosthetics, precious metal dental alloys, dental ceramics, endodontic instruments and materials, prophylaxis paste, dental sealants, ultrasonic scalers, and crown and bridge materials; the leading United States manufacturer and distributor of dental handpieces, dental x-ray film holders, film mounts and bone substitute/grafting materials; and a leading worldwide manufacturer or distributor of dental implants, impression materials, orthodontic appliances, dental cutting instruments, infection control products, and dental injectable anesthetics. The Company distributes its dental products in over 120 countries under some of the most well-established brand names in the industry.

DENTSPLY is committed to the development of innovative, high quality, cost-effective new products for the dental market.

The DENTSPLY International Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4306

This press release contains forward-looking information (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) regarding future events or the future financial performance of the Company that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those in the projections or other forward-looking information set forth herein as a result of certain risk factors.

These risk factors include, without limitation; the continued strength of dental markets, the timing, success and market reception for our new and existing products, uncertainty with respect to governmental actions  with respect to dental products, outcome of litigation, continued support of our products by influential dental professionals, and changes in the general economic environment that could affect our business. Changes in such assumptions or factors could produce significantly different results. For an additional description of risk factors, please refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its subsequent periodic reports on Forms 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In addition to the results reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"), the Company provided adjusted operating income, adjusted net income attributable to DENTSPLY International and adjusted earnings per diluted share.  These adjusted amounts consist of GAAP amounts excluding (1) restructuring and other costs, (2) acquisition-related charges, (3) adoption of certain new accounting standards, and (4) income tax-related adjustments.  Adjusted earnings per diluted share are calculated by dividing adjusted net income attributable to DENTSPLY International by diluted weighted-average shares outstanding.  The Company also provided an operational tax rate, which is the Company's effective tax rate, a GAAP measure, adjusted for certain one-time charges.  Adjusted operating income, adjusted net income attributable to DENTSPLY International, adjusted earnings per diluted share and operating tax rate are considered measures not calculated in accordance with GAAP, and therefore are non-GAAP measures.  These non-GAAP measures may differ from other companies.

The Company believes that the presentation of adjusted operating income, adjusted net income attributable to DENTSPLY International, adjusted earnings per diluted share and operating tax rate provides important supplemental information to management and investors seeking to understand the Company's financial condition and results of operations.  The non-GAAP financial information should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

CONTACT:  DENTSPLY International Inc.
          William R. Jellison, Senior Vice President and 
           Chief Financial Officer
          (717) 849-4243