DENTSPLY International Inc. Continues to Have Strong Internal Sales Growth Resulting in Record Second Quarter Results.

    Business Editors

      YORK, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 20, 2000--DENTSPLY International
Inc. (NASDAQ -XRAY) today announced record second quarter results.
      Sales for the second quarter ended June 30, 2000 were $223.3
million, up 6.8% from $209.1 million in the year earlier quarter,
including a 9.5% internal growth rate and a negative 2.6% impact due
to the strong U.S. dollar. Record net income for the second quarter
was $24.6 million, up 16.2%, compared to $21.2 million in the second
quarter of 1999.
      Diluted earnings per common share were $.47, up 17.5%, compared to
$.40 in the second quarter of 1999.
      John C. Miles II, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said "We
are pleased that our strong internal sales growth and record earnings
have continued for the second quarter. We continue to perform well in
all global markets from our pull through sales strategy and the
success of a number of exciting new products. Our operating
performance continued to improve from various key performance
improvement initiatives and cash flow remains strong. We are truly
excited about the remainder of 2000 and the future of our company."
      For the six months ended June 30, 2000 sales increased 7.4% to
$435.8 million from $405.7 million in the first half of 1999 including
a 2.8% negative impact due to the strong U.S. dollar. Net income was a
record $46.8 million, at $.89 diluted earnings per common share, for
the six months ended June 30, 2000 compared to $40.7 million, or $.77
diluted earnings per common share, in the first half of 1999.
      This was a 15.0% increase in net income and a 15.6% increase in
diluted earnings per common share compared to the first six months of
1999.
      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,
endodontic instruments and materials, prophylaxis paste, dental
sealants, ultrasonic scalers, and crown and bridge materials; the
leading United States manufacturer and distributor of dental x-ray
equipment, dental handpieces, dental x-ray film holders, film mounts
and bone substitute/grafting materials; and a leading United States
manufacturer or distributor of impression materials, orthodontic
appliances, dental cutting instruments, intraoral cameras and dental
operatory software systems.
      The Company distributes its dental products in over 100 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.

      This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning
sales and earnings expectations and other matters. Actual results
could differ materially from these expectations as a result of certain
risk factors. For a detailed description of these risk factors, please
refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended
December 31, 1999.
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*T


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

                         THREE MONTHS ENDED       SIX MONTHS ENDED
                               JUNE 30,               JUNE 30,
                        --------------------    --------------------
                          2000        1999        2000        1999
                        --------    --------    --------    --------

NET SALES               $223,290    $209,125    $435,820    $405,713

COST OF PRODUCTS SOLD    104,814      99,709     206,827     194,669
                        --------    --------    --------    --------

GROSS PROFIT             118,476     109,416     228,993     211,044
 % OF NET SALES             53.1%       52.3%       52.5%       52.0%

SELLING, GENERAL AND
 ADMINISTRATIVE
 EXPENSE                  78,745      73,020     152,522     140,340
                        --------    --------    --------    --------

OPERATING INCOME          39,731      36,396      76,471      70,704
 % OF NET SALES             17.8%       17.4%       17.5%       17.4%

NET INTEREST AND
 OTHER EXPENSE             2,396       3,564       5,030       7,460
                        --------    --------    --------    --------

INCOME BEFORE
 INCOME TAXES             37,335      32,832      71,441      63,244

PROVISION FOR
 INCOME TAXES             12,708      11,642      24,622      22,526
                        --------    --------    --------    --------

NET INCOME              $ 24,627    $ 21,190    $ 46,819    $ 40,718
 % OF NET SALES             11.0%       10.1%       10.7%       10.0%

EARNINGS PER
 COMMON SHARE
   - BASIC              $    .47    $    .40    $    .90    $    .77
   - DILUTED            $    .47    $    .40    $    .89    $    .77

CASH DIVIDENDS
 DECLARED
 PER COMMON SHARE       $  .0625    $  .0563    $  .1250    $  .1125

WEIGHTED AVERAGE
 COMMON SHARES
 OUTSTANDING
- BASIC                   51,912      52,758      52,113      52,663
   - DILUTED              52,378      52,947      52,459      52,854



                      DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC.
                        CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
                            (IN THOUSANDS)


                                     JUNE 30,   DEC. 31,
                                       2000       1999

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:
  CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS          $  6,892   $  7,276
  ACCOUNTS AND NOTES
   RECEIVABLE-TRADE, NET              131,482    127,911
  INVENTORIES                         139,217    135,480
  OTHER CURRENT ASSETS                 41,379     44,001
                                     --------   --------
     TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS             318,970    314,668
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET    177,911    180,536
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS, NET          354,126    364,384
                                     --------   --------

TOTAL ASSETS                         $851,007   $859,588
                                     ========   ========


LIABILITIES AND
 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES                  $180,593   $176,220
LONG-TERM DEBT                        121,234    145,312
OTHER LIABILITIES                      65,909     66,685
MINORITY INTEREST IN
 CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES              2,423      2,499
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                  480,848    468,872
                                     --------   --------

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                $851,007   $859,588
                                     ========   ========

    --30--KMK/ph*

    CONTACT: DENTSPLY International Inc.
             William R. Jellison, Senior V.P. and CFO
             717/849-4243

    KEYWORD: PENNSYLVANIA
    INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICAL DEVICES EARNINGS