SCHEDULE 14A (RULE 14a-101) INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Filed by the Registrant [X] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ] Check the appropriate box:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LOGO DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL 570 West College Avenue P.O. Box 872 York, PA 17405-0872 (717) 845-7511 Fax (717) 854-2343 April 11, 2003 Dear DENTSPLY Stockholder: You are cordially invited to attend the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., at the Company's Employee Meeting Room in York, Pennsylvania. The Annual Meeting will include voting on the matters described in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, a report on Company operations and discussion. Whether or not you plan to attend, you can ensure that your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting by voting your proxy. You have two ways to vote your proxy. You may vote by mail by promptly completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the envelope provided, or you may vote by internet by following the instructions on the proxy card or going to the internet at www.computershare.com/us/proxy and following the instructions on that site. Your vote is important. Please take a moment now to vote through one of the above methods. Sincerely, /s/ John C. Miles II John C. Miles II Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC. 570 WEST COLLEGE AVENUE YORK, PENNSYLVANIA 17405-0872 --------------------- NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2003 ------------------------ The Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") of DENTSPLY International Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., local time, at the Company's Employee Meeting Room, 570 West College Avenue, York, Pennsylvania, for the following purposes: 1. To elect four Class II directors to serve for a term of three years and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified; 2. To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, to audit the books and accounts of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2003; and 3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting and any and all adjournments and postponements thereof. The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 27, 2003 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. The enclosed proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company. Reference is made to the accompanying Proxy Statement for further information with respect to the business to be transacted at the Annual Meeting. A complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available during ordinary business hours for examination by any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the Annual Meeting, for a period of at least ten days prior to the Annual Meeting, at the office of the Company's Secretary, 570 West College Avenue, York, Pennsylvania. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS URGES YOU TO VOTE YOUR PROXY EITHER BY MAIL OR THROUGH THE INTERNET. YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON. THE VOTING OF YOUR PROXY WILL NOT AFFECT YOUR RIGHT TO REVOKE YOUR PROXY OR TO VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU DO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING. By Order of the Board of Directors, BRIAN M. ADDISON Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel York, Pennsylvania April 11, 2003 YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT, NO MATTER HOW MANY SHARES YOU OWNED ON THE RECORD DATE. PLEASE INDICATE YOUR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS ON THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD, DATE AND SIGN IT, AND RETURN IT IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED, WHICH IS ADDRESSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE AND NEEDS NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES. OR, IF YOU WISH, YOU MAY PROVIDE YOUR PROXY INSTRUCTION USING THE INTERNET BY FOLLOWING THE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD. IN ORDER TO AVOID THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSE TO THE COMPANY OF FURTHER SOLICITATION, WE ASK YOUR COOPERATION IN VOTING YOUR PROXY PROMPTLY.
DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC. 570 WEST COLLEGE AVENUE YORK, PENNSYLVANIA 17405-0872 ------------------------ PROXY STATEMENT ------------------------ GENERAL INFORMATION This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of DENTSPLY International Inc., a Delaware corporation ("DENTSPLY" or the "Company"), for use at the Company's 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (together with any and all adjournments and postponements thereof, the "Annual Meeting") to be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., local time, at the Company's Employee Meeting Room, 570 West College Avenue, York, Pennsylvania, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. This Proxy Statement, together with the foregoing Notice and the enclosed proxy card, are first being sent to stockholders on or about April 11, 2003. The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 27, 2003 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. On the record date, there were 78,488,919 shares of Common Stock of the Company, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"), outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote per share on each matter properly brought before the Annual Meeting. Shares can be voted at the Annual Meeting only if the stockholder is present in person or is represented by proxy. The presence, in person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting of shares of Common Stock representing at least a majority of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the record date will constitute a quorum for purposes of the Annual Meeting. Whether or not you are able to attend the Annual Meeting, you are urged to vote your proxy, either by mail or the internet, which is solicited by the Company's Board of Directors and which will be voted as you direct. In the absence of instructions, shares represented by properly provided proxies will be voted as recommended by the Board of Directors. Any proxy may be revoked at any time prior to its exercise by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person, by notifying the Secretary of the Company of such revocation in writing or by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, provided that such notice or proxy is actually received by the Company prior to the taking of any vote at the Annual Meeting. The cost of solicitation of proxies for use at the Annual Meeting will be borne by the Company. Solicitations will be made primarily by mail, facsimile or through the internet, and employees or agents of the Company may solicit proxies personally or by telephone. Brokers, banks and other nominee holders will be requested to obtain voting instructions of beneficial owners of stock registered in their names. The Company will reimburse these record holders for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in doing so. Shares represented by a duly completed proxy submitted by a nominee holder on behalf of beneficial owners will be counted for quorum purposes, and will be voted to the extent instructed by the nominee holder on the proxy card or through the internet. The rules applicable to a nominee holder may preclude it from voting the shares that it holds on certain kinds of proposals unless it receives voting instructions from the beneficial owners of the shares (sometimes referred to as "broker non-votes").
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS The Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the by-laws of the Company provide that the number of directors (which is to be not less than three) is to be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. The Board is currently comprised of eleven persons. Pursuant to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the members of the Board of Directors are divided into three classes. Each class is to consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third of the whole number of members of the Board. The term of the Class II directors expires at the Annual Meeting. The terms of the Class III and Class I directors will expire at the 2004 and 2005 Annual Meetings of Stockholders, respectively. At each Annual Meeting, the directors elected to succeed those whose terms expire are of the same class as the directors they succeed and are elected for a term to expire at the third Annual Meeting of Stockholders after their election and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. A director elected to fill a vacancy is elected to the same class as the director he/she succeeds, and a director elected to fill a newly created directorship holds office until the next election of the class to which such director is elected. The four incumbent Class II directors are nominees for election this year for a three-year term expiring at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. In the election, the four persons who receive the highest number of votes actually cast will be elected. The proxy named in the proxy card and on the internet voting site intends to vote for the election of the four Class II nominees listed below unless otherwise instructed. If a holder does not wish his or her shares to be voted for a particular nominee, the holder must identify the exception in the appropriate space provided on the proxy card or on the internet site, in which event the shares will be voted for the other listed nominees. If any nominee becomes unable to serve, the proxy may vote for another person designated by the Board of Directors or the Board may reduce the number of directors. The Company has no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve. The Company's by-laws require that stockholders seeking to nominate persons for election to the Board, or to propose other business to be brought before an Annual Meeting of Stockholders, comply with certain procedures. See "Stockholder Proposals for 2004 Proxy Statement". Set forth below is certain information with regard to each of the nominees for election as Class II directors and each continuing Class I and Class III director. NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS CLASS II DIRECTORS
The Board Governance Committee is responsible for identifying and recommending individuals to serve on the Board, reviewing and recommending Board policies and governance practices and appraising the performance of the Board and performing the other duties set forth in the Board Governance Committee Charter, a copy of which is attached as Appendix B. The members of this Committee are Messrs. Jones (Chairman) and Smith and Dr. Alfano. Mr. Miles served on the Committee until September 25, 2002, when he was replaced by Dr. Alfano. The Board Governance Committee held one meeting during 2002. The Human Resources Committee is responsible for evaluating and administering compensation levels for all officers of the Company, reviewing and evaluating employee compensation generally, and employee benefit plans. In 2002, the Board of Directors promulgated and adopted a Charter for the Human Resources Committee. A copy of this Charter is included as Appendix C. Its current members are Messrs. Coleman (Chairman), Alfano, Borgelt, and Smith, and Ms. Scheihing. The Human Resources Committee met three times during 2002. The Stock Option Subcommittee was created in 1998 and is responsible for administering the Company's 1998 and 2002 Stock Option Plans. Its current members are Messrs. Coleman (Chairman), Alfano and Smith, and Ms. Scheihing. Mr. Fetterolf served on the Human Resources committee and the Stock Option Subcommittee until his retirement from the Board in May 2002. No directors attended fewer than 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board and the meetings of any committee of the Board on which a director served during the period in which the director served on the Board and such committee during the year ended December 31, 2002. RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS The Audit Committee appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PwC"), independent accountants, as accountants to audit the financial statements of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2003. In connection with the audit of the Company's financial statements, it is expected that PwC will also audit the books and accounts of certain subsidiaries of the Company at the close of their current fiscal years. A representative of PwC will be present at the Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement, if such person desires to do so, and to respond to appropriate questions. The proposal to ratify the appointment of PwC will be approved by the stockholders if it receives the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal. If there is an abstention noted on the proxy card for this proposal, the abstention will have the effect of a vote against the proposal even though the shares represented thereby will not be counted as having been voted for or against the proposal. Broker non-votes will be treated as shares not capable of being voted on the proposal and, accordingly, will have no effect on the outcome of voting on the proposal. THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMEND A VOTE FOR RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF PWC AS INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE COMPANY. 6
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION SUMMARY COMPENSATION The following table sets forth the compensation earned by the Company's chief executive officer and the four other highest-paid executive officers of the Company whose salary and bonus for the year ended December 31, 2002 were in excess of $100,000 (collectively, the "named executive officers") for each of the last three fiscal years. SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to grants of options during the year ended December 31, 2002 and their potential realizable values. OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
the employee's pro rata share of any incentive or bonus payments for the period prior to the employee's death in the year of such death. Each of the employment agreements also provides that, in the event that the employee's employment is terminated by the Company (without "cause," as defined in the employment agreements) or by the employee with "good reason" (as described in the employment agreements), (i) the Company will be obligated to pay the employee for a period of two years subsequent to termination of employment at the rate paid to the employee during the prior 12 month period, and (ii) the employee will be entitled to receive the benefits that would have been accrued by him during the two year period following termination of employment under employee benefit plans, programs or other arrangements of the Company or any of its affiliates in which the employee participated before the termination of his employment. In the event that such termination of employment is made by the Company without cause or by the employee with good reason after a "change in control" (as defined in the employment agreements), the employee may require the Company to pay to the employee, within five days after the employee's request for such payment, the present value of the amounts that would have been payable to him under the employment agreement during the two year period following such termination of employment. The Company has also entered into employment agreements with certain other members of senior management having terms substantially similar to those described above. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS Members of the Board of Directors who are not employees of the Company ("Outside Directors") received an annual fee in 2002 of $25,000 ($29,000 for Outside Directors who are chairpersons of any committee of the Board) and an additional fee of $1,000 for each Board and committee meeting attended in 2002. In 2003, these fees are $30,000 and $34,000, respectively. Each Outside Director elected since 1993 received a non-discretionary grant of options at the time of such Outside Director's election to purchase 9,000 shares of Common Stock. Each Outside Director will automatically receive an additional grant of 9,000 options on every third anniversary of the date of the initial grant of options to such Outside Director. Directors are reimbursed for travel and other expenses relating to attendance at Board and Committee meetings. Effective January 1, 1997, the Company established a Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Deferred Plan"). The Deferred Plan permits Outside Directors to elect to defer receipt of directors fees or other compensation for their services as directors. Outside Directors can elect to have their deferred payments administered as a cash with interest account or a stock unit account. Distributions to a Director under the Deferred Plan will not be made to any Outside Director until the Outside Director ceases to be a Board member. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION With the exception of Mr. Borgelt, who retired from the Company in 1996, none of the current members of the Human Resources Committee has ever been an officer or employee of DENTSPLY. None of our executive officers served as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our Board of Directors or Human Resources Committee. 9
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of March 3, 2003 held by (i) each person who is known by the Company to have been the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the Company's Common Stock on such date, (ii) each director and nominee for director, (iii) the Company's chief executive officer and the other named executive officers, and (iv) all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group (based on 78,458,951 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of such date).
(4) Includes 96,087 shares owned by a trust of which Mr. Borgelt is a co-trustee with shared investment and voting power, 35,949 shares held by Mr. Borgelt's grandchildren, 169,922 shares held in Mr. Borgelt's individual retirement account, 174,000 shares which could be acquired pursuant to the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of March 3, 2003 and 3,737 shares which could be acquired pursuant to the Deferred Plan when Mr. Borgelt ceases to be a Board member. (5) Includes 5,208 shares allocated to the Company ESOP account of Mr. Kunkle, 7,500 shares held in Mr. Kunkle's individual retirement account, 409,850 shares which could be acquired pursuant to the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of March 3, 2003 and 7,801 shares which could be acquired pursuant to the SERP upon retirement or termination from the Company. (6) Includes 45,685 shares allocated to the Company ESOP account of Mr. Whiting, 250,450 shares which could be acquired pursuant to exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of March 3, 2003 and 3,262 shares which could be acquired pursuant to the SERP upon retirement or termination from the Company. (7) Includes 1,500 shares owned by a trust of which Mr. Jellison is a co-trustee with shared investment and voting power, 3,795 shares allocated to the Company ESOP account of Mr. Jellison, 155,500 shares which could be acquired pursuant to the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of March 3, 2003 and 3,414 shares which could be acquired pursuant to the SERP upon retirement or termination from the Company. (8) Consists of 13,050 shares which could be acquired pursuant to exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of March 3, 2003. (9) Consists of 6,000 shares which could be acquired pursuant to the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of March 3, 2003. (10) Consists of 3,000 shares which could be acquired pursuant to the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of March 3, 2003 and 1,475 shares which could be acquired pursuant to the Deferred Plan when Ms. Cholmondeley ceases to be a Board member. (11) Includes 6,300 shares held by Mr. Coleman's spouse, 9,000 shares which could be acquired pursuant to exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of March 3, 2003 and 8,795 shares which could be acquired pursuant to the Deferred Plan when Mr. Coleman ceases to be a Board member. (12) Consists of 3,000 shares which could be acquired pursuant to the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of March 3, 2003 and 1,913 shares which could be acquired pursuant to the Deferred Plan when Mr. Hecht ceases to be a Board member. (13) Includes 27,000 shares which could be acquired pursuant to exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 3, 2003 and 2,557 shares which could be acquired pursuant to the Deferred Plan when Mr. Jones ceases to be a Board member. (14) Consists of 3,000 shares which could be acquired pursuant to the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of March 3, 2003 and 1,489 shares which could be acquired pursuant to the Deferred Plan when Ms. Scheihing ceases to be a Board member. (15) Includes 7,500 shares owned by a trust of which Mr. Schollmaier is a co-trustee with shared investment and voting power, 18,000 shares which could be acquired pursuant to the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of March 3, 2003 and 9,528 shares which could be acquired pursuant to the Deferred Plan when Mr. Schollmaier ceases to be a Board member. (16) Includes 27,000 shares which could be acquired pursuant to exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of March 3, 2003 and 8,561 shares which could be acquired pursuant to the Deferred Plan when Mr. Smith ceases to be a Board member. (17) Includes 179,754 shares held by or for the benefit of others, 177,422 shares held in individual retirement accounts, 981 shares held in 401(k) accounts, 180,537 shares allocated to employees' ESOP accounts, 2,609,800 shares which could be acquired pursuant to the exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of March 3, 2003, 38,055 shares which could be acquired pursuant to the Deferred Plan when directors cease to be Board members and 27,221 shares which could be acquired pursuant to the SERP upon retirement or termination of executive officers from the Company. 11
The Board of Directors established stock ownership guidelines effective March 2, 1999, to encourage accumulation and retention of Common Stock by executives of the Company, including the named executive officers. The guidelines are stated as a multiple of annual base salary as follows: three times annual base salary for the chief executive officer; two times annual base salary for the chief operating officer; one times annual base salary for senior vice presidents; .75 times base salary for vice presidents and other officers; and .50 times base salary for general managers. The recommended time period for reaching the guidelines is five years. Common Stock allocated to officers in their Company ESOP account and individual retirement plans will be included but stock options will not be counted in determining ownership levels. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The Human Resources Committee is pleased to present its report on executive compensation. This report describes the components of the Company's executive officer compensation programs and the basis on which compensation determinations are made with respect to the executive officers of the Company. COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY It is the philosophy of the Company that a significant portion of executive compensation be directly linked to the Company's success in meeting profit, growth and corporate performance goals, as well as increases in stockholder value. The Human Resources Committee utilizes the following objectives as guidelines for compensation decisions: - Provide a competitive total compensation package that enables the Company to attract and retain key personnel. - Provide a broad-based compensation package that recognizes the contributions of all management personnel. - Provide variable compensation opportunities, primarily on an annual basis, that are directly linked to corporate performance goals. - Provide long-term compensation opportunities, through stock options, that align executive compensation with value received by stockholders. Section 162(m) of the Code disallows a Federal income tax deduction to publicly held companies for compensation paid to the chief executive officer and the other named executive officers, to the extent that compensation exceeds $1 million for such officer in any fiscal year. This limitation does not apply to compensation that is "performance based" in accordance with certain specific requirements. The Company's 1998 and 2002 stock option plans have been structured so that options granted under the plans qualify as "performance based compensation" and are exempt from the limitations on deduction. Compensation paid to the Company's chief executive officer for 2002 that was not "performance-based compensation" in accordance with Section 162(m) exceeded the $1 million limit. The Committee believes that the chief executive officer and the other named executive officers are being appropriately compensated in a manner that relates to performance and is in the long-term interests of the stockholders. The Committee is not taking action at this time to limit the Company's discretion to pay "non-performance based compensation" to the chief executive officer and the other named executive officers. COMPENSATION PROGRAM COMPONENTS The Human Resources Committee periodically reviews the Company's compensation programs to ensure that pay levels and incentive opportunities are competitive and reflect the performance of the Company. In November 2001, the Committee retained Towers Perrin to study and report on the Company's executive compensation practices and to do competitive evaluations of the total compensation for twelve of the Company's corporate officer and executive positions. The Human Resources Committee reviewed the findings of these studies and made its recommendations regarding compensation to the Board of Directors of the Company at meetings held in December 2001. The compensation program for executive officers is comprised of the following 12
components: base salary, annual incentive compensation and stock options. Each of these components is summarized below. Base Salary. In December 2001, the Committee set Mr. Miles' and Mr. Kunkle's base salaries at $700,000 and $460,000, respectively. The base salaries of Messrs. Whiting, Lehner and Jellison were set by the Committee at $316,000, Euro 296,000 and $294,000, respectively. In November 2002, Mr. Whiting was named Executive Vice-President and the Committee set his salary at $370,000. Among the factors that the Human Resources Committee considered in setting base salaries for executive officers were its interpretation of the Towers Perrin report regarding salary levels of executive officers of other manufacturing companies of similar size, and evaluation of the performance of the Company and the executive officers. While the Committee believes that it will be appropriate to attempt to maintain base salaries in line with perceived industry averages for comparable companies, the amount of any particular salary increase will also depend upon the individual's job performance. In addition to the Towers Perrin report, the chief executive officer's recommendations were taken into account in setting the base salaries of executive officers other than the chief executive officer. Annual Incentive Compensation. Annual bonuses represent payments for the achievement of short-term objectives and recognize both the overall performance of the Company and individual performance in a given year. In December 2001, the Human Resources Committee approved a bonus program for senior executives in 2002. Under this bonus program, during 2002, certain target award opportunities were established for the Company's chief executive officer ("CEO"), president and chief operating officer ("COO"), senior vice presidents and other management employees. For the CEO, COO and the chief financial officer ("CFO"), the target consisted of the budgeted level of corporate net income. For the executive and senior vice presidents other than the CFO, the targets consisted of: (i) the budgeted level of corporate net income; and (ii) the budgeted operating income level of the business group applicable to each such executive and senior vice president. For Mr. Miles and Mr. Kunkle, the bonus award for 100% of targeted performance was set at 80% and 65%, respectively, of their base salaries, while for Messrs. Whiting, Lehner and Jellison, the bonus awards for 100% of targeted performance were set at 55% of their respective base salaries. Messrs. Miles, Kunkle, Whiting, Lehner and Jellison exceeded targeted performance and received bonus awards for 2002 of 97.0%, 78.8%, 72.4%, 74.4%, and 66.7%, respectively, of their base salaries. The named executive officers also participate in the SERP. The SERP is an unfunded "top-hat" plan for the purposes of providing additional retirement benefits for highly compensated employees of the Company to make the Company's executive retirement benefits more competitive and to make up for contributions that would otherwise have been made for such executives under the terms of the Company's ESOP plan if it were not for the limitations imposed by the Code. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE MICHAEL J. COLEMAN BURTON C. BORGELT W. KEITH SMITH MICHAEL C. ALFANO BETTY JANE SCHEIHING STOCK OPTIONS The Company's stock option plans are intended to motivate key employees to put forth maximum efforts toward the continued growth, profitability and success of the Company by providing incentives through the ownership and performance of the Company's Common Stock. The plans are designed to provide benefits to key management only to the extent that stockholders enjoy increases in value. In 2002, 672,950 stock options were granted to the Company's executive officers under the 1998 and 2002 stock option plans. The Stock Option Subcommittee of the Human Resources Committee considered the respective stock and option holdings of the executive officers of the Company in comparison with stock and option holdings of executive management of companies of similar size and growth records, based upon the information set forth in the Towers Perrin report, and made option awards during 2002 that were consistent with 13
the compensation philosophy of the Human Resources Committee, as described above, and that were intended to be competitive with industry averages for comparable companies. In determining the number of stock options to be granted to Mr. Miles in 2002, the subcommittee compared Mr. Miles' base salary, bonus and past stock option grants to the compensation practices of corporations with revenues of $500 million to $1 billion in Towers Perrin's Executive Compensation Data Base. The grant made to Mr. Miles placed a greater emphasis on the long term portion of his total direct compensation (direct compensation is comprised of base salary, annual bonus and the Black Scholes value of DENTSPLY option grants) while still positioning his total direct compensation between the 50th and 75th percentiles of competitive practice. STOCK OPTION SUBCOMMITTEE MICHAEL J. COLEMAN W. KEITH SMITH MICHAEL C. ALFANO BETTY JANE SCHEIHING AUDIT COMMITTEE DISCLOSURE AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT The Audit Committee consists of four directors, all of whom are independent as defined by NASDAQ's listing standards. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. This charter is reviewed at least annually by the Committee and the Board and amended as determined appropriate. A copy of this charter is attached as Appendix A. The Audit Committee reviews the Company's financial reporting process on behalf of the Board. In addition, the Committee approves and retains the Company's independent accountants. Management is responsible for the Company's internal controls and the financial reporting process. The independent accountants are responsible for performing an audit of the Company's financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and to issue a report thereon. The Committee's responsibility is to oversee these processes. In this context, the Committee has met and held discussions with management and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PwC"), the Company's independent accountants. Management represented to the Committee that the Company's financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management and PwC. The Committee discussed with PwC the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with Audit Committees). In addition, the Committee has discussed with PwC the accountants' independence from the Company and its management and has received the written disclosures and the letter from PwC required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), as it has been modified or supplemented. The Committee discussed with PwC the overall scope and plans for their audits. The Committee meets with PwC, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, the evaluations of the Company's internal controls, and the overall quality of the Company's financial reporting. Based upon the Committee's discussions with management and PwC and the Committee's review of the representations of management and the report of PwC to the Committee, the Committee recommended that the 14
Board include the audited financial statements in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AUDIT AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE PAULA H. CHOLMONDELEY WILLIAM F. HECHT LESLIE A. JONES EDGAR H. SCHOLLMAIER RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS Aggregate fees for professional services rendered for the Company by PwC for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001 were as follows:
COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN The following graph shows the cumulative total stockholder return on the Company's Common Stock over the last five fiscal years as compared to the returns of the NASDAQ Total Return Index and the Standard & Poor's Health Care Composite Index. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 1997 in the Company's Common Stock and in the NASDAQ Total Return Index and the Standard & Poor's Health Care Composite Index and assumes reinvestment of dividends. Comparison Table
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2004 PROXY STATEMENT Stockholder proposals that are intended to be presented at the Company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2004 must be received by the Company no later than December 14, 2003, and must otherwise comply with Rule 14a-8, in order to be included in the proxy statement and proxy relating to that meeting. The Company's by-laws provide that advance notice of stockholder-proposed business to be brought before an Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be given to the secretary of the Company not less than 60 days in advance of the date of the mailing of materials regarding the prior year's Annual Meeting, which mailing date is identified on the Chairman's letter at the front of this proxy statement. To propose business for an Annual Meeting, a stockholder must specify in writing the business desired to be brought before the Annual Meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the Annual Meeting, the proposing stockholder's name and address, the class and number of shares beneficially owned by the stockholder, and any material interest of the stockholder in such business. In order to be brought before the 2004 Annual Meeting, stockholders must notify the Company in writing, in accordance with the procedures set forth above, of any stockholder-proposed business no later than February 12, 2004. The Company's by-laws also provide that a stockholder may request that persons be nominated for election as directors by submitting such request, together with the written consent of the persons proposed to be nominated, to the secretary of the Company not less than 60 days prior to the date of the Annual Meeting. To be in proper form, the nominating stockholder must set forth in writing, as to each proposed nominee, the nominee's age, business address, residence address, principal occupation or employment, number of shares of Common Stock of the Company beneficially owned by such person and such other information related to such person as is required to be disclosed by applicable law, and, as to the stockholder submitting the request, such stockholder's name and address as they appear on the Company's books and the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company owned beneficially by such person. FORM 10-K STOCKHOLDERS MAY OBTAIN A COPY (WITHOUT EXHIBITS) OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2002 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WITHOUT CHARGE BY WRITING TO: DIRECTOR OF INVESTOR RELATIONS, DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC., 570 WEST COLLEGE AVENUE, YORK, PENNSYLVANIA 17405-0872. OTHER MATTERS The Board of Directors knows of no matters which are to be brought before the Annual Meeting other than those set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. If any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, the person named in the enclosed proxy card, or his duly appointed substitute acting at the Annual Meeting, will be authorized to vote or otherwise act thereon in accordance with his judgment on such matters. 17
APPENDIX A DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC. AUDIT & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE CHARTER I. PURPOSE The primary function of the Audit & Information Technology Committee ("Committee") is to assist the Board of Directors ("Board") in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities related to corporate accounting, financial reporting practices, quality and integrity of financial reports as well as legal compliance, business ethics and review of information technology matters. It shall be the policy of the Committee to maintain free and open communication between the Board, the independent accountants, the internal auditors and the management of the company. II. ORGANIZATION 1. MEMBERS -- The Committee shall be composed of directors who are independent, as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission and NASDAQ, of the management of the Company and are free of any relationship that, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with their exercise of independent judgement as a committee member. Committee members shall be nominated by the Board, and the Committee shall be composed of not less than three independent Directors who meet the NASDAQ requirements regarding financial knowledge, experience and expertise. 2. MEETINGS -- The Committee will meet on a regular basis and special meetings will be called as circumstances require. The Committee will meet privately from time to time with representatives of the Company's independent accountants, the internal auditor and management. Written minutes will be kept for all meetings. 3. FUNDING -- The Committee shall receive sufficient funding to carry out its functions, including the hiring of outside advisors as deemed appropriate by the Committee. III. FUNCTIONS 1. INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS -- The Committee shall have responsibility for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the independent accountants. These responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (a) Advise the Board annually of the firm retained by the Committee to be the Company's independent accountants; (b) Instruct the independent accountants that they are ultimately responsible to the Board and the Committee; (c) Receive from the independent accountants a formal written statement delineating all relationships between the independent accountants and the Company, confirming their objectivity and independence, including in regard to scope of services; and (d) Receive direct reports from the independent accountants regarding their audit activities and findings. 2. AUDIT PLANS & RESULTS -- Review and approve the plans, scope, fees and results for the annual audit and the internal audits with the independent accountants and the internal auditors. Inquire of management and the independent accountants if any significant financial reporting issues arose during the current audit and, if so, how they were resolved. Discuss and resolve any significant issues raised by the independent accountants in their Letter of Recommendations to Management regarding internal control weaknesses and process improvements. Review the extent of all services and fees to be performed for the Company by its independent accountants and approve all engagements of the independent accountants for services, including specifically all non-audit related services. The approval of non-audit services may be provided by the Chair of the Committee, provided that such approval shall be reviewed at the next immediate meeting of the Committee and subject to ratification by the Committee. 3. ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES AND DISCLOSURES -- Review significant developments in accounting rules and recommended changes in the Company's methods of accounting or financial statements. The Committee also shall review with the independent accountants the quality and acceptability of the application of the Company's A-1
accounting principles to the Company's financial reporting, including any significant proposed changes in accounting principles and financial statements. 4. INTERNAL ACCOUNTING CONTROLS -- Consult with the independent accountants regarding the adequacy of internal accounting controls. Inquire as to the adequacy of the Company's accounting, financial, and auditing personnel resources. As appropriate, consultation with the independent accountants regarding internal controls should be conducted out of management's presence. 5. INTERNAL CONTROL SYSTEMS -- Review with management and internal auditors the Company's internal control systems intended to ensure the reliability of financial reporting and compliance with applicable codes of conduct, laws, and regulations. Reports on internal audit projects with management responses shall be available for Committee review. Special presentations may be requested of Company personnel responsible for such areas as legal, human resources, information technology, environmental, risk management, tax compliance and others as considered appropriate. 6. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY -- Review information technology plans with respect to corporate goals, industry trends, and competitive advantages. Review and assess the security of computer systems and applications and contingency plans for computer system breakdowns, particularly with respect to the processing of financial information. 7. COMPLAINT HANDLING -- Review and approve the procedures established for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal controls or auditing matters. 8. OUTSIDE ADVISORS -- The Committee shall directly engage independent advisors when deemed appropriate by the Committee. In carrying out its responsibilities, the Committee shall remain flexible in its policies and procedures in order that it can best react to changing conditions and environment and to assure to the directors and shareholders that the corporate accounting and reporting practices of the Company are in accordance with all requirements and are of the highest quality. A-2
APPENDIX B DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC. BOARD GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE CHARTER I. PURPOSE The primary function of the Board Governance Committee is to assist the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") in the establishment of criteria for the selection and nomination of Board members and to establish policies and procedures for the governance of the Company and the Board. The Committee shall report to the Board on matters relating to the activities of the Committee. II. ORGANIZATION A. MEMBERS. The Committee shall consist of directors who are independent, as defined by NASDAQ and SEC rules, and are free from any relationship with the Company or management of the Company that, in the opinion of the Board as evidenced by its election of such Committee members, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment as a Committee member. B. MEETINGS. The Committee will meet as often as necessary to carry out its responsibilities. Meetings may be called by the Chairman of the Committee and/or management of the Company. Written minutes of each meeting shall be duly filed in the Company records. Reports of meetings of the Committee shall be made to the Board accompanied by any recommendations to the Board for matters that the Committee determines requires approval of the Board. III. FUNCTIONS The Board Governance Committee shall have the following specific responsibilities: - Review the qualifications of and recommend to the Board (i) those persons to be nominated for membership on the Board who shall be submitted to the shareowners for election at each Annual Meeting of Shareowners and (ii) the nominees for directors to be elected by the Board to fill vacancies and newly created directorships; - Establish criteria for membership on the Board of Directors and its Committees, such as depth of experience, business interest and experience, required expertise and qualifications for membership on each Committee; - Aid in recruiting and attracting qualified candidates to serve on the Board; - Consider and appraise the performance of incumbent members of the Board in determining whether to recommend that they be nominated for re-election; - Make recommendations to the Board concerning (i) the size and composition of the Board and (ii) the size and composition of each standing Committee of the Board; - Recommend appointments of directors as members of Committees of the Board; - Periodically review and recommend Board policies, including, but not limited to: (i) recommending the policy governing retirement of directors from the Board, (ii) recommending the term of office for directors and whether or not the Board should be classified according to terms, (iii) recommending the desirable ratio of employee and non-employee directors, and (iv) reviewing the format of Board meetings and making recommendations for the improvement of such meetings. - Approve the acceptance of outside Board seats by Company executives; - Review the compensation of the members of the Board for services as a director or member of any Committee of the Board and make recommendations to the Board concerning the fixing of such compensation; B-1
- Evaluate Company policies relating to the recruitment of directors, including D&O insurance and indemnification and make recommendations to the Board, or any appropriate Board Committee, regarding such matters; and - Review periodically, in the light of changing conditions, new legislation, regulations and other developments, the Company's Code of Conduct, and make recommendations to the Board for any changes, amendments and modifications to the Code that the Committee shall deem desirable. - Review and report to the Board annually concerning Board member independence as defined by the NASDAQ rules. B-2
APPENDIX C DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL, INC. HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE CHARTER I. PURPOSE The primary function of the Human Resources Committee is to provide general oversight and assistance to the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") for the organizational structure of the Company and the compensation and hiring plans, policies and practices of the Company, including specifically the compensation of the executive officers. II. ORGANIZATION A. Composition. The Committee shall consist of directors who are independent, as defined by NASDAQ and SEC rules, and are free from any relationship with the Company or management of the Company that, in the opinion of the Board as evidenced by its appointment of such Committee members, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment as a Committee member. B. Meetings. The Committee will meet as often as necessary to carry out its responsibilities. Meetings may be called by the Chairman of the Committee and/or management of the Company. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum. Written minutes of each meeting shall be duly filed in the Company records. Reports of meetings of the Committee shall be made to the Board accompanied by any recommendations to the Board for matters that the Committee determines requires approval of the Board. III. FUNCTIONS A. General. The Committee's general responsibility is to oversee the Company's employment, hiring and compensation plans, personnel practices and policies, and assure that the senior executives of the Company and its wholly-owned affiliates are compensated effectively in a manner consistent with the stated compensation strategy of the Company, internal equity considerations, competitive practice, and the requirements of the appropriate regulatory bodies. The Committee shall communicate to shareholders, as deemed appropriate or as required by the Securities and Exchange Commission or other regulatory body, the Company's compensation policies and practices. More specifically, the Committee shall be responsible for the following: - Reviewing periodically the appointments, promotions and performance of certain officers of the Company and the potential successors of the principal executive officers of the Company, as the Committee shall designate, and making recommendations to the Board with respect to such matters to the extent it deems appropriate; - Review from time to time and approve the Company's stated compensation strategy to ensure that management is rewarded appropriately for its contributions to Company growth and profitability and that the executive compensation strategy supports organization objectives and shareholder interests; - Review annually and determine the individual elements of total compensation for the executive management of the Company and communicate in the annual Board Compensation Committee Report to shareholders the factors and criteria on which the executive officers', including the Chief Executive Officer's, compensation for the last year was based; - Assure that the Company's executive incentive compensation program(s) are administered in a manner consistent with the Company's compensation strategy as to participation, target annual incentive awards, corporate financial goals, and actual awards paid to executive management; - Approve, subject to shareholders approval when appropriate, all new equity-related incentive plans for senior management; - Recommend to the Board participants in the Company's Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan; C-1
- Review the recruitment, hiring and promotion practices of the Company and its subsidiaries in the light of applicable legal requirements and corporate governance policies established by the Board; - Receive and review annually or otherwise, as the Committee shall deem appropriate, reports on significant matters and actions taken in connection with the operation and administration of the employee benefits plans of the Company and its subsidiaries; - Review with the Chief Executive Officer matters relating to management succession; - If appropriate, hire experts in the field of executive compensation and other matters related to the functions of the Committee to assist the Committee with its areas of responsibility; and - Such other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned to the Committee, from time to time, by the Board of the Company, or as designated in Company plan documents. B. Consultants. The Committee shall at all times have the authority to retain and terminate any compensation consultants or other advisors to assist it in any aspect of the evaluation of executive compensation or on any other subject relevant to the Committee's responsibilities, including the authority to approve such consultant's or advisor's fees and other retention terms. C. Stock Option Plans. Either directly or through delegation to the subcommittee, administer the Company's Stock Option Plans, including but not limited to: - Participating in the establishment of option guidelines and general size of overall grants; - Making grants; - Interpreting the Plans; - Determining rules and regulations relating to the Plans; - Modifying existing or canceling existing grants and substituting new ones (with the consent of the grantees); - Approving any exceptions to receive retiree treatment; and - Authorizing foreign subsidiaries to adopt plans pursuant to the provisions of the Plans. C-2
PROXY - DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC. MEETING DETAILS EMPLOYEE MEETING ROOM OF DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC., 570 WEST COLLEGE AVENUE, YORK, PA 17404 PROXY SOLICITED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR ANNUAL MEETING - TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2003, 9:30 A.M. The undersigned stockholder of DENTSPLY International Inc. (the "Company") hereby appoints Brian M. Addison as the attorney and proxy of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to vote all shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company, to be held at the Company's Employee Meeting Room at DENTSPLY International Inc., 570 West College Avenue, York, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, May 13, 2003, commencing at 9:30 a.m., local time, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, as follows: In his discretion, the Proxy is authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. (Continued and to be signed on reverse side.) INTERNET VOTING INSTRUCTIONS YOU CAN VOTE BY INTERNET! AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK! Instead of mailing your proxy, you may vote using the method outlined below to vote your proxy. Have this proxy card in hand when you call. To vote using the Internet -- Go to the following web site: www.computershare.com/us/proxy -- Enter the information requested on your computer screen and follow the simple instructions. HOLDER ACCOUNT NUMBER C0123456789 PROXY ACCESS NUMBER 12345 If you vote by the Internet, please DO NOT mail back this proxy card. Proxies submitted by the Internet must be received by 12:00 midnight, Central Time, on May 9, 2003. THANK YOU FOR VOTING
DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC. ANNUAL MEETING PROXY CARD Holder Account Number A. Election of Directors PLEASE REFER TO THE REVERSE SIDE FOR INTERNET VOTING INSTRUCTIONS. 1. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the following nominees For Withhold [ ] [ ] 01 - Leslie A. Jones 02 - Gary K. Kunkle, Jr. 03 - Betty Jane Scheihing 04 - Edgar H. Schollmaier B. ISSUES The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the following resolutions. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN [ ] [ ] [ ] 2. Proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, to audit the books and accounts of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2003. C. Authorized Signatures - Sign Here - This section must be completed for your instructions to be executed. NOTE: Please sign your name(s) EXACTLY as your name(s) appear(s) on this proxy. All joint holders must sign. When signing as attorney, trustee, executor, administrator, guardian or corporate officer, please provide your FULL title. Signature 1 - Please keep signature within the box Signature 2 - Please keep signature within the box Date (dd/mm/yyyy)
Voting Instructions - DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC. - 401(k) MEETING DETAILS EMPLOYEE MEETING ROOM OF DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC., 570 WEST COLLEGE AVENUE, YORK, PA 17404 PROXY SOLICITED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR ANNUAL MEETING - TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2003, 9:30 A.M. To T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc., Trustee: As a participant in the DENTSPLY International Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan (the "401(k)"), I hereby instruct you to vote the shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"), of DENTSPLY International Inc. (the "Company") allocated to my 401 (k) account (a) in accordance with the following direction and (b) to grant a proxy to the proxy nominated by the Company's Board of Directors authorizing him to vote in his discretion upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting. (Continued and to be signed on reverse side.) INTERNET VOTING INSTRUCTIONS YOU CAN VOTE BY INTERNET! AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK! Instead of mailing your proxy, you may vote using the method outlined below to vote your proxy. Have this proxy card in hand when you call. To vote using the Internet -- Go to the following web site: www.computershare.com/us/proxy -- Enter the information requested on your computer screen and follow the simple instructions. HOLDER ACCOUNT NUMBER C0123456789 PROXY ACCESS NUMBER 12345 If you vote by the Internet, please DO NOT mail back this proxy card. Proxies submitted by the Internet must be received by 12:00 midnight, Central Time, on May 9, 2003. THANK YOU FOR VOTING
DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC. ANNUAL MEETING VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD - 401(K) Holder Account Number A. Election of Directors PLEASE REFER TO THE REVERSE SIDE FOR INTERNET VOTING INSTRUCTIONS. 1. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the following nominees For Withhold [ ] [ ] 01 - Leslie A. Jones 02 - Gary K. Kunkle, Jr. 03 - Betty Jane Scheihing 04 - Edgar H. Schollmaier B. ISSUES The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the following resolutions. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN [ ] [ ] [ ] 2. Proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, to audit the books and accounts of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2003. C. Authorized Signatures - Sign Here - This section must be completed for your instructions to be executed. NOTE: Please sign your name(s) EXACTLY as your name(s) appear(s) on this proxy. All joint holders must sign. When signing as attorney, trustee, executor, administrator, guardian or corporate officer, please provide your FULL title. Signature 1 - Please keep signature within the box Signature 2 - Please keep signature within the box Date (dd/mm/yyyy)
Voting Instructions - DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC. - ESOP MEETING DETAILS EMPLOYEE MEETING ROOM OF DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC., 570 WEST COLLEGE AVENUE, YORK, PA 17404 PROXY SOLICITED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR ANNUAL MEETING - TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2003, 9:30 A.M. To T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc., Trustee: As a participant in the DENTSPLY International Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the "ESOP"), I hereby instruct you to vote the shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"), of DENTSPLY International Inc. (the "Company") allocated to my ESOP account (a) in accordance with the following direction and (b) to grant a proxy to the proxy nominated by the Company's Board of Directors authorizing him to vote in his discretion upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting. (Continued and to be signed on reverse side.) INTERNET VOTING INSTRUCTIONS YOU CAN VOTE BY INTERNET! AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY 7 DAYS A WEEK! Instead of mailing your proxy, you may vote using the method outlined below to vote your proxy. Have this proxy card in hand when you call. To vote using the Internet -- Go to the following web site: www.computershare.com/us/proxy -- Enter the information requested on your computer screen and follow the simple instructions. HOLDER ACCOUNT NUMBER C0123456789 PROXY ACCESS NUMBER 12345 If you vote by the Internet, please DO NOT mail back this proxy card. Proxies submitted by the Internet must be received by 12:00 midnight, Central Time, on May 9, 2003. THANK YOU FOR VOTING
DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC. ANNUAL MEETING VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD - ESOP Holder Account Number A. Election of Directors PLEASE REFER TO THE REVERSE SIDE FOR INTERNET VOTING INSTRUCTIONS. 1. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the following nominees For Withhold [ ] [ ] 01 - Leslie A. Jones 02 - Gary K. Kunkle, Jr. 03 - Betty Jane Scheihing 04 - Edgar H. Schollmaier B. ISSUES The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the following resolutions. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN [ ] [ ] [ ] 2. Proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, to audit the books and accounts of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2003. C. Authorized Signatures - Sign Here - This section must be completed for your instructions to be executed. NOTE: Please sign your name(s) EXACTLY as your name(s) appear(s) on this proxy. All joint holders must sign. When signing as attorney, trustee, executor, administrator, guardian or corporate officer, please provide your FULL title. Signature 1 - Please keep signature within the box Signature 2 - Please keep signature within the box Date (dd/mm/yyyy)