DENTSPLY International Inc. Reports Record Second Quarter 2008 Sales and Earnings

July 29, 2009

                * Sales Increased 17.2%
                * Diluted EPS Increased by 23.8%
                * Full Year Diluted EPS Guidance Increased

YORK, Pa., July 29, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DENTSPLY International Inc. (Nasdaq:XRAY) today announced record sales and earnings for the three months ended June 30, 2008.

FINANCIAL RESULTS

Three Months Ended June 30, 2008

Net sales in the second quarter of 2008 increased 17.2% to $594.8 million compared to $507.4 million reported for the second quarter of 2007. Net sales, without precious metal content, increased 17.3% to $542.3 million in the second quarter of 2008, compared to $462.1 million in 2007, reflecting strong growth in international markets, the strength of international currencies and the benefit of acquisitions completed in 2007. Each of our four business segments experienced double digit total sales growth in the quarter.

Net income for the second quarter of 2008 was $78.6 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, an increase of 23.8% compared to $0.42 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2007. Net income in the second quarter of 2008 included a net of tax interest benefit resulting from the provisions of SFAS 157 "Fair Value Measurements" of $1.1 million, the net of tax impact of restructuring and other costs of $0.9 million, and a net charge for income tax-related adjustments of $1.0 million, which in aggregate reduced earnings per share on a net basis by less than $.01 per diluted share. The second quarter of 2007 included the net of tax impact of restructuring costs of $2.0 million and a net charge to income tax expense of $0.6 million, which in the aggregate reduced earnings per diluted share by $.02.

Net income on a non-GAAP basis, (excluding an interest benefit from the provisions of SFAS 157, restructuring and other costs, and income tax-related adjustments), was $79.4 million or $0.52 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2008 compared to $68.0 million or $0.44 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2007. This represents an 18.2% increase in earnings per diluted share on an adjusted non-GAAP basis. For a reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP measures, see the attached table.

2008 Second Quarter Results & 2008 Full Year Outlook

Bret Wise, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are pleased that the strength of our diversified dental consumable portfolio and our broad global platform have once again allowed us to deliver record sales and earnings performance. Our businesses are growing rapidly in many international markets allowing us to make expanded investments in research and development, as well as in sales force expansion in markets with high growth potential."

Mr. Wise went on to state, "Our strong year-to-date performance, new product launches, and current business and market assessment provide us with increased confidence in our earnings growth for 2008. We are increasing our full year guidance from the $1.83 to $1.88 earnings per diluted share, provided earlier in the year, to $1.86 to $1.91 per diluted share for the full year 2008." Guidance for 2008 excludes income tax related adjustments, restructuring and other costs, and the benefit from the provisions of SFAS 157.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A conference call has been scheduled for Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at 8:30 AM Eastern Time. A live broadcast is available through Shareholder.com by accessing DENTSPLY's website at www.dentsply.com. The Conference ID # is 8304625. If you would like to participate in this call, dial (888) 271-8596 (for domestic calls), and (913) 312-9330 (for international calls). An on-line rebroadcast, as well as a transcript of the call, will be available to the public following the call at the DENTSPLY website: www.dentsply.com. A replay will be available for one week following the conference call at (888) 203-1112 (for domestic calls) and (719) 457-0820 (for international calls), Passcode # 8304625.

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.primenewswire.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

DENTSPLY believes that the non-GAAP financial information provided in this release may be useful to investors for comparison purposes because the Company has historically provided similar information. 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.

                         DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC.
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                    (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

                       THREE MONTHS ENDED      SIX MONTHS ENDED
                            JUNE 30,                JUNE 30,
                    ----------------------------------------------
                        2008        2007       2008         2007
                    ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

 NET SALES          $  594,847  $  507,362  $1,155,629  $  980,226
 NET SALES - Ex
  Precious Metal
  Content              542,272     462,108   1,038,521     885,374

 COST OF PRODUCTS
  SOLD                 279,361     238,578     554,900     465,164
                    ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

 GROSS PROFIT          315,486     268,784     600,729     515,062
  % OF NET SALES          53.0%       53.0%       52.0%       52.5%
  % OF NET SALES -
   Ex Precious Metal
   Content                58.2%       58.2%       57.8%       58.2%

 SELLING, GENERAL &
  ADMINISTRATIVE
  EXPENSES             200,867     172,084     384,869     336,161

 RESTRUCTURING AND
  OTHER OPERATING
  COSTS                  1,458       3,207       1,662       4,197
                    ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

 INCOME FROM
  OPERATIONS           113,161      93,493     214,198     174,704
  % OF NET SALES          19.0%       18.4%       18.5%       17.8%
  % OF NET SALES -
   Ex Precious Metal
   Content                20.9%       20.2%       20.6%       19.7%

 NET INTEREST AND
  OTHER NON
  OPERATING EXPENSE
  (INCOME)               3,216      (2,133)      9,355      (4,388)
                    ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

 PRE-TAX INCOME        109,945      95,626     204,843     179,092

 INCOME TAXES           31,297      30,193      58,015      55,187
                    ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------

 NET INCOME         $   78,648  $   65,433  $  146,828  $  123,905
  % OF NET SALES          13.2%       12.9%       12.7%       12.6%
  % OF NET SALES -
   Ex Precious Metal
   Content                14.5%       14.2%       14.1%       14.0%

 EARNINGS PER SHARE
    -BASIC          $     0.53  $     0.43  $     0.98  $     0.82
    -DILUTIVE       $     0.52  $     0.42  $     0.96  $     0.80

 DIVIDENDS PER SHARE$    0.045  $    0.040  $    0.090  $    0.080

 WEIGHTED AVERAGE
  NUMBER OF COMMON
  SHARES
  OUTSTANDING
    -BASIC             148,851     152,000     149,394     152,016
    -DILUTIVE          151,790     154,873     152,371     154,723

                      DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC.
                       CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                            (IN THOUSANDS)
                                             JUNE 30,  DECEMBER 31,
                                               2008       2007
                                            ----------  ----------
 ASSETS

 CURRENT ASSETS:

  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                 $  113,454  $  169,384
  SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS                       309,797     146,939
  ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE-TRADE, NET     371,489     307,622
  INVENTORIES, NET                             282,795     258,032
  OTHER CURRENT ASSETS                         104,552     100,045
                                            ----------  ----------
   TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                      1,182,087     982,022

 PROPERTY,PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET             405,603     371,409
 IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET            76,347      76,167
 GOODWILL, NET                               1,178,627   1,127,420
 OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS, NET                  150,544     118,551
                                            ----------  ----------

 TOTAL ASSETS                               $2,993,208  $2,675,569
                                            ==========  ==========

 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

 CURRENT LIABILITIES                        $  325,561  $  312,411
 LONG-TERM DEBT                                576,649     482,063
 OTHER LIABILITIES                             411,744     304,146
 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES                          69,727      60,547
                                            ----------  ----------
  TOTAL LIABILITIES                          1,383,681   1,159,167

 MINORITY INTEREST IN CONSOLIDATED
  SUBSIDIARIES                                     337         296
 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                        1,609,190   1,516,106
                                            ----------  ----------

 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
  EQUITY                                    $2,993,208  $2,675,569
                                            ==========  ==========

                    DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC.
               (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                             
 Operating Income Summary: 
                                 
 The following tables present the reconciliation of reported GAAP
 operating income in total and on a percentage of net sales, 
 excluding precious metal content basis to the non-GAAP financial 
 measures.

 Three Months Ended June 30, 2008                      Percentage
                                                         of Net 
                                                        Sales, Ex 
                                           Operating     Precious 
                                            Income        Metal 
                                           (Expense)    Content
                                          ----------   ----------
                                                                 
 Income from Operations                   $  113,161        20.9%
                                                                 
 Restructuring Costs                           1,458         0.2%
                                          ----------   ----------
                                                                 
 Adjusted Non-GAAP Operating Earnings     $  114,619        21.1%
                                          ==========   ==========
                                                                 
                         
                                                                 
 Three Months Ended June 30, 2007                      Percentage
                                                         of Net 
                                                        Sales, Ex
                                           Operating     Precious
                                            Income        Metal 
                                           (Expense)    Content
                                          ----------   ----------
                                                                 
 Income from Operations                   $   93,493        20.2%
                                                                 
 Restructuring Costs                           3,207         0.7%
                                          ----------   ----------
                                                                 
 Adjusted Non-GAAP Operating Earnings     $   96,700        20.9%
                                          ==========   ==========

                   DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC.
                (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
                                                                
 Earnings Summary:         
 
 The following tables present the reconciliation of reported GAAP 
 net income in total and on a per share basis to the non-GAAP 
 financial measures.

 Three Months Ended June 30, 2008                         Diluted 
                                                 Income     Per
                                               (Expense)   Share
                                               --------  --------
 Net Income                                    $ 78,648  $   0.52
       
 Provisions of SFAS 157, Net of Tax              (1,129)    (0.01)
                                                             
 Restructuring Costs, Net of Tax                    905     (0.00)
                                                                
 Income Tax Related Adjustments                   1,018      0.01
                                               --------  --------
                                                                 
 Adjusted Non-GAAP Earnings                    $ 79,442  $   0.52
                                               ========  ========
                                                                 
                            
                                                                 
 Three Months Ended June 30, 2007                                
                                                          Diluted 
                                                 Income     Per  
                                               (Expense)  Share
                                               --------  --------
                                                                 
 Net Income                                    $ 65,433  $   0.42
                                                                 
 Restructuring Costs, Net of Tax                  2,022      0.01
                                                                 
 Income Tax Related Adjustments                     588      0.01
                                               --------  --------
                                                                 
 Adjusted Non-GAAP Earnings                    $ 68,043  $   0.44
                                               ========  ========

                      DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC.
                  (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

 Operating Income Summary: 
              
 The following tables present the reconciliation of reported GAAP
 operating income in total and on a percentage of net sales, 
 excluding precious metal content basis to the non-GAAP financial 
 measures.

 Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 
                                                       Percentage
                                                         of Net 
                                                        Sales, Ex 
                                           Operating    Precious 
                                            Income       Metal 
                                           (Expense)    Content
                                          ----------   ---------- 
 Income from Operations                   $  214,198        20.6%
                                
 Restructuring Costs                           1,662         0.2%
                                          ----------   ----------
                                                   
 Adjusted Non-GAAP Operating Earnings     $  215,860        20.8%
                                          ==========   ==========
                                              
 Six Months Ended June 30, 2007      
                                                       Percentage
                                                         of Net 
                                                        Sales, Ex 
                                           Operating    Precious 
                                            Income       Metal 
                                           (Expense)    Content
                                          ----------   ---------- 
                                                 
 Income from Operations                   $  174,704        19.7%
                                      
 Restructuring Costs                           4,197         0.5%
                                          ----------   ----------
                                                   
 Adjusted Non-GAAP Operating Earnings     $  178,901        20.2%
                                          ==========   ==========

                    DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC.
                (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

 Earnings Summary:   
 
 The following tables present the reconciliation of reported GAAP 
 net income in total and on a per share basis to the non-GAAP 
 financial measures.

 Six Months Ended June 30, 2008    
                                            Income      Diluted
                                           (Expense)   Per Share
                                           ---------   ---------
                                                                 
 Net Income                                $ 146,828   $    0.96
                                                                 
 Provisions of SFAS 157, Net of Tax           (1,129)      (0.01)
                                                                 
 Restructuring Costs, Net of Tax               1,034        0.01
                                                                 
 Income Tax Related Adjustments                1,655        0.01
                                           ---------   ---------
                                                                 
 Adjusted Non-GAAP Earnings                $ 148,388   $    0.97
                                           =========   =========
                                                                 
 Six Months Ended June 30, 2007                                  
                                            Income      Diluted
                                           (Expense)   Per Share
                                           ---------   ---------
                                                                 
 Net Income                                $ 123,905   $    0.80
                                                                 
 Restructuring Costs, Net of Tax               2,678        0.02
                                                                 
 Income Tax Related Adjustments                  356        0.00
                                           ---------   ---------
                                                                 
 Adjusted Non-GAAP Earnings                $ 126,939   $    0.82
                                           =========   =========
CONTACT: DENTSPLY International Inc.
         William R. Jellison, Senior Vice President and
          Chief Financial Officer
         (717) 849-4243