YORK, Pa., Sept. 30, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DENTSPLY International Inc. (Nasdaq:XRAY) today announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.05 per share of common stock, an indicated annual rate of $0.20 per share. This represents approximately an eleven percent (11%) increase in the existing dividend. The dividend is payable on January 9, 2009 to holders of record on December 29, 2008.

Bret W. Wise, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "DENTSPLY continues to perform very well in 2008 with continued strong growth in earnings, despite difficult economic circumstances. We are pleased to be in a position to increase the dividend and share this success with our shareholders."

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 implants, impression materials, orthodontic appliances, dental cutting instruments, infection control products, and dental injectable anesthetics. 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.

The DENTSPLY International Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4306

CONTACT:  DENTSPLY International Inc.
          William R. Jellison, Senior Vice President and
           Chief Financial Officer
          (717) 849-4243