DENTSPLY International Inc. Reports Civil Antitrust Case Decision.

YORK, Pa. -- DENTSPLY International Inc. (Nasdaq:XRAY) today announced that the Third Circuit Court of Appeals issued its decision in the antitrust case brought by the U.S. Department of Justice against DENTSPLY's Trubyte division's tooth distribution policy. The Third Circuit reversed the decision of the District Court which had ruled in DENTSPLY's favor. Obviously, the Company disagrees with the decision of the Third Circuit. It is reviewing the opinion of the Court and evaluating its options regarding an appeal. If the decision of the Third Circuit stands, the effect of it will be that DENTSPLY's Trubyte division will no longer be able to require its tooth dealers not to take on a new competitive tooth line.

Gerald K. Kunkle, Jr., Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DENTSPLY International Inc., stated, "We are obviously disappointed with the decision of the Court, particularly after having a four week trial in which the District Court Judge heard all the evidence and ruled in our favor. We don't expect this decision to have a significant impact on our sales of artificial teeth in the United States or on DENTSPLY's overall sales, as the sale of artificial teeth in the U.S. represents less than two and one half percent of our total Company Sales. In addition to the legal options that are under review, we are also evaluating various alternative marketing strategies available to us to insure that we remain well positioned in this segment of the dental market. We continue to be optimistic about the outlook for 2005 and look forward to another successful year."

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 injectible anesthetics, impression materials, orthodontic appliances, dental cutting instruments and dental implants. 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.