FORM 8-K


                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                      WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



          ----------------------------------------------


                          CURRENT REPORT
              Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                  Date of Report January 26, 2005
                 (Date of earliest event reported)


                    DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC
          (Exact name of Company as specified in charter)



             Delaware            0-16211         39-1434669
      (State of Incorporation) (Commission     (IRS Employer
                                File Number)  Identification No.)




      221 West Philadelphia Street, York, Pennsylvania    17405
         (Address of principal executive offices)       (Zip Code)



                          (717) 845-7511
         (Company's telephone number including area code)









Item 2.02. - Results of Operations and Financial Condition The following information is furnished pursuant to Item 2.02, "Results of Operations and Financial Condition." On January 26, 2005, the Company issued a press release disclosing its fourth quarter 2004 sales and earnings. This earnings release references net sales excluding precious metal content, which could be considered a measure not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (a non-GAAP measure). Due to the fluctuations of precious metal prices and because the precious metal content of the Company's sales is largely a pass-through to customers and has minimal effect on earnings, the Company reports sales both with and without precious metal content to show the Company's performance independent of precious metal price volatility and to enhance comparability of performance between periods. A copy of the Company's press release is attached hereto as Exhibit (99.1) and is hereby incorporated by reference. Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits (a) Financial Statements - Not applicable. (b) Exhibits: 99.1 The Dentsply International Inc. fourth quarter 2004 sales and earnings release issued January 26, 2005 as referenced in Item 2.02.

SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC (Company) /s/William R. Jellison William R. Jellison Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Date: January 27, 2005

NEWS

For Further
Information
Contact:

William R. Jellison                                 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(717) 849-4718



                          DENTSPLY International Inc.
                       Reports Record Sales and Earnings
                     for Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2004


York,  PA - January  26,  2005 --  DENTSPLY  International  Inc.  (NASDAQ-XRAY)
today  announced  record  sales and  earnings  for the year ended  December 31,
2004.  Sales  in 2004  increased  8.1%  to  $1.69  billion  compared  to  $1.57
billion  reported for 2003.  Sales excluding  precious  metals,  increased 8.6%
in 2004.  Sales  growth in 2004 was  enhanced by currency  translation,  as the
U.S.  dollar  continued to weaken  against most foreign  currencies  throughout
2004.

Net  income  for 2004 was  $253.2  million  or $3.09 per  diluted  share,  this
includes  a $.53 per  diluted  share  net gain  primarily  from the sale of the
Company's Gendex equipment business completed in February 2004.

Income  from  continuing  operations  for 2004 was  $210.3  million  ($2.56 per
diluted share) a 21.3% increase in diluted  earnings per share from  continuing
operations  for the year,  compared to $169.9 million ($2.11 per diluted share)
for 2003.  The 2004 period  includes  pretax  charges of $7.1 million ($.06 per
diluted share)  relating to  restructuring  activities.  The year also included
a  reduction  of  income  taxes of  $19.5  million  ($.24  per  diluted  share)
primarily  related to  adjustments  in the  Company's  tax  contingencies  from
settling   audits  of  domestic   and  foreign  tax  returns  and   adjustments
associated  with prior  periods.  The 2003 period  includes  pretax  charges of
$3.7 million  ($.03 per diluted  share)  related to  restructuring  activities,
and a pretax  gain of $7.4  million  ($.06 per diluted  share)  relating to the
sale of the Company's investment in PracticeWorks.

Sales in the fourth quarter 2004  increased 8.5% to $465.5 million  compared to
$429.1  million  reported  in the  fourth  quarter  of  2003.  Sales  excluding
precious  metals,  increased  9.0% to $404.9  million in the fourth  quarter of
2004.  Sales  growth  in the  quarter  continued  to be  enhanced  by  currency
translation,  as the U.S.  dollar  weakened  over the last  year  against  most
foreign currencies.

Net  income  for the  fourth  quarter  of 2004 was  $68.6  million  or $.83 per
diluted share.

Income from  continuing  operations was $69.0 million ($.83 per diluted share),
for the fourth  quarter of 2004,  a 38.3%  increase  in  diluted  earnings  per
share from  continuing  operations  for the quarter,  compared to $48.7 million
($.60 per diluted  share) for the fourth  quarter of 2003.  The fourth  quarter
of 2004  includes  pretax  charges of $4.0  million  ($.03 per  diluted  share)
relating to  restructuring  activities  for the  creation of a European  Shared
Service  Center  and  Sales/Customer   Service  consolidations  in  Europe  and
Japan.  The  quarter  also  included  a  reduction  of  income  taxes  of $15.4
million ($.19 per diluted  share)  related to  adjustments in the Company's tax
contingencies  from  settling  audits of  domestic  and foreign tax returns and
adjustments   associated  with  prior  periods.  The  fourth  quarter  of  2003
includes  pretax  charges of $3.7 million ($.03 per diluted  share)  related to
restructuring  activities,  and a pretax gain of $5.8 million ($.05 per diluted
share) relating to the sale of the Company's investment in PracticeWorks.


Gary K. Kunkle, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented that, "We are pleased to announce another year of record sales and earnings and strong cash-flow performance. The breadth and depth of our product offerings and balanced geographic footprint help to provide a solid foundation for our shareholders' investments. We continue to make strategic investments in product development and technology to enhance our leadership position in dental product innovations." Mr. Kunkle also stated that, "The fourth quarter was another strong period of key product launches led by the introduction of ORAQIX (a new dental needle-less anesthetic) and BIOPURE MTAD (an antibacterial root canal cleanser) further strengthening our portfolio of products." DENTSPLY will hold a conference call on Thursday, January 27, 2005 at 8:30 AM Eastern Time. To access the call, dial 877-885-5820 (for domestic calls) and (706) 643-9578 (for international calls). Conference I.D.: 3226859. This conference call will be broadcast live on the Internet at www.dentsply.com. An audio replay of the conference call will be available for two weeks. To access the replay, please dial (800) 642-1687 (for domestic calls) and (706) 645-9291 (for international calls). 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. 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, 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.

DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) THREE MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, ----------------------------- ------------------------------ 2004 2003 2004 2003 ------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- NET SALES $ 465,500 $ 429,052 $ 1,694,232 $ 1,567,994 NET SALES - Ex Precious Metals 404,889 371,627 1,481,872 1,364,346 COST OF PRODUCTS SOLD 233,446 221,040 847,714 797,461 GROSS PROFIT 232,054 208,012 846,518 770,533 % OF NET SALES 49.9% 48.5% 50.0% 49.1% % OF NET SALES - Ex Precious Metals 57.3% 56.0% 57.1% 56.5% SELLING, GENERAL & ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 148,747 130,474 544,264 498,850 RESTRUCTURING COSTS 3,959 3,700 7,124 3,700 ------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 79,348 73,838 295,130 267,983 % OF NET SALES 17.0% 17.2% 17.4% 17.1% % OF NET SALES - Ex Precious Metals 19.6% 19.9% 19.9% 19.6% NET INTEREST AND OTHER EXPENSE 4,722 1,741 20,975 16,787 ------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- PRE-TAX INCOME 74,626 72,097 274,155 251,196 INCOME TAXES 5,673 23,420 63,869 81,343 ------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 68,953 48,677 210,286 169,853 % OF NET SALES 14.8% 11.3% 12.4% 10.8% % OF NET SALES - Ex Precious Metals 17.0% 13.1% 14.2% 12.4% INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET OF TAX (INCLUDING GAIN ON SALE IN 2004 OF $43,031) (346) 1,707 42,879 4,330 ------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- NET INCOME $ 68,607 $ 50,384 $ 253,165 $ 174,183 ============= ============= ============== ============== EARNINGS PER SHARE - BASIC: CONTINUING OPERATIONS $ 0.85 $ 0.62 $ 2.61 $ 2.16 DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS - 0.02 0.54 0.05 ------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- TOTAL EARNINGS PER SHARE $ 0.85 $ 0.64 $ 3.15 $ 2.21 ============= ============= ============== ============== EARNINGS PER SHARE - DILUTIVE: CONTINUING OPERATIONS $ 0.83 $ 0.60 $ 2.56 $ 2.11 DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS - 0.02 0.53 0.05 ------------- ------------- -------------- -------------- TOTAL EARNINGS PER SHARE $ 0.83 $ 0.62 $ 3.09 $ 2.16 ============= ============= ============== ============== DIVIDENDS PER SHARE $ 0.0600 $ 0.0525 $ 0.2175 $ 0.1970 WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING -BASIC 80,636 79,153 80,387 78,823 -DILUTIVE 82,306 81,173 82,014 80,647

DENTSPLY INTERNATIONAL INC. CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (IN THOUSANDS) DECEMBER 31, DECEMBER 31, 2004 2003 ----------- ------------ ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS $ 506,369 $ 163,755 ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE-TRADE, NET 238,873 241,385 INVENTORIES, NET 213,709 205,587 OTHER CURRENT ASSETS 100,383 88,463 ASSETS HELD FOR SALE -- 28,262 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 1,059,334 727,452 PROPERTY,PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET 407,527 376,211 GOODWILL, NET 996,262 963,264 IDENTIFIABLE INTANGIBLES ASSETS, NET 258,084 246,475 OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS, NET 79,863 114,736 ASSETS HELD FOR SALE -- 17,449 TOTAL ASSETS $2,801,070 $2,445,587 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: CURRENT LIABILITIES $ 405,961 $ 367,815 LIABILITIES OF DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS -- 1,269 LONG-TERM DEBT 781,511 790,202 OTHER LIABILITIES 110,829 96,953 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 58,196 66,861 ---------- ---------- TOTAL LIABILITIES 1,356,497 1,323,100 MINORITY INTEREST IN CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES 600 418 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 1,443,973 1,122,069 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $2,801,070 $2,445,587