DENTSPLY International Inc. To Join S&P 500

November 12, 2008

YORK, Pa., Nov. 12, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DENTSPLY International Inc. (Nasdaq:XRAY) today announced that the Company's common stock will be added to the Standard & Poor's 500 Index after the market close on November 13th, 2008.

Bret Wise, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are very pleased to be added to the prestigious S&P 500 Index. We appreciate this recognition of the strength of our market position and global footprint within the worldwide dental industry."

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

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