Profile: DENTSPLY International Inc. (XRAY.O)

DENTSPLY International Inc. (DENTSPLY) is a designer, developer, manufacturer and marketer of a range of products for the dental market. The Company conducts its business through four operating segments, all of which were primarily engaged in the design, manufacture and distribution of dental products in three principal categories: dental consumables, dental laboratory products and dental specialty products. In addition to the United States, DENTSPLY conducts its business in approximately 120 foreign countries, principally through its foreign subsidiaries. In July 2008, the Company acquired Dental Depot Lomberg B.V. (Lomberg). In July 2008, the Company acquired E.S. Holding N.V. (E.S. Holding). In December 2008, it acquired the assets of Apollonia & Fama Impant S.r.l. (AFI). On December 31, 2008, the Company acquired a 60% interest in Zhermack S.p.A. (Zhermack).

The Company’s principal dental product categories are dental consumable products, dental laboratory products and dental specialty products. The Company’s products are produced in the United States and internationally, and are distributed worldwide under various brand names and trademarks, including ANKYLOS, AQUASIL, AQUASIL ULTRA, BIOPURE, CAULK, CAVITRON, CERAMCO, CERCON, CITANEST, DELTON, DENTSPLY, DETREY, ELEPHANT, ESTHET.X, FRIADENT, FRIALIT, GENIE, GOLDEN GATE, IN-OVATION, INTERACTIVE MYSTIQUE, MAILLEFER, MIDWEST, NUPRO, ORAQIX, PEPGEN P-15, POLOCAINE, PRIME & BOND, PROFILE, PROTAPER, RINN, R&R, SANI-TIP, SEAL&PROTECT, SHADEPILOT, SULTAN, THERMAFIL, TRUBYTE, XENO, XIVE, XYLOCAINE and ZHERMACK.

The Company conducts its business in over 120 foreign countries, principally through its foreign subsidiaries. DENTSPLY has a presence in Canada and in the European market, particularly in Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy and the United Kingdom. It also has a market presence in Central and South America, including Brazil, South Africa and Pacific Rim. DENTSPLY has also established marketing activities in Moscow, Russia to serve the countries of the former Soviet Union. DENTSPLY distributes approximately 56% of its dental products through domestic and foreign distributors, dealers and importers. Certain technical products, such as precious metal dental alloys, dental ceramics, crown and bridge porcelain products, endodontic instruments and materials, orthodontic appliances, implants, and bone substitute and grafting materials are sold directly to the dental laboratory or dental professional in some markets.

Dental Consumables

Dental consumable products consist of dental sundries and small equipment used in dental offices in the treatment of patients. DENTSPLY’s dental sundry products in the dental consumable category include dental anesthetics, prophylaxis paste, dental sealants, impression materials, restorative materials, bone grafting materials, tooth whiteners and topical fluoride. The Company manufactures thousands of different dental sundry consumable products marketed under more than 100 brand names. Small equipment products in the dental consumable category consist of various durable goods used in dental offices for treatment of patients. DENTSPLY’s small equipment products include high and low-speed handpieces, intraoral curing light systems, and ultrasonic scalers and polishers.

Dental Laboratory Products

Dental laboratory products are used in the preparation of dental appliances by dental laboratories. DENTSPLY’s products in the dental laboratory category include dental prosthetics, including artificial teeth, precious metal dental alloys, dental ceramics, and crown and bridge materials. Equipment in this category includes computer aided machining (CAM) ceramic systems and porcelain furnaces.

Dental Specialty Products

Dental specialty products are specialized treatment products used within the dental office and laboratory settings. DENTSPLY’s products in this category include endodontic (root canal) instruments and materials, implants and related products, bone grafting materials, and orthodontic appliances and accessories.