DENTSPLY International Inc. recently announced record sales and earnings for the year ended December 31, 2001. Sales increased 26.9% to $1,129.1 million in 2001, from $889.8 million in 2000. The internal sales growth rate for the year was 6.2%, excluding a 22.4% increase due to acquisitions and a negative 1.7% foreign currency translation impact due to the strong U.S. dollar. Net income for 2001 of $121.5 million, or $2.31 diluted earnings per common share, was an increase of 19.7% from $1.93 in 2000. (In December 2001, DENTSPLY announced a 3 for 2 stock split, to be distributed on January 31, 2002. Diluted earnings per share, on a post-split basis, would be $1.54 in 2001, compared to $1.29 in 2000.) Earnings in 2001 of $121.5 million or $2.31 diluted earnings per common share, included net non-recurring income of $11.6 million or 22 per share.

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