DENTSPLY International Inc. recently announced record sales and earnings for the quarter ended June 30, 2004. Net sales increased 7.8% to $425.3 million, compared to $394.5 million reported for the second quarter of 2003. Net sales, excluding precious metal content, increased 7.3% in the second quarter of 2004. Net income for the second quarter of 2004 was $49.0 million, or $.60 per diluted share. Income from continuing operations was $49.2 million ($.60 per diluted share) in the 2004 quarter, compared to $43.5 million ($.54 per diluted share) in the 2003 second quarter, a 11.1% increase in diluted earnings per share from continuing operations. For the six months ended June 30, 2004, net sales increased 9.8% and sales excluding precious metal content increased 10.2%. Earnings from continuing operations were $1.16 per diluted share in the first six months of 2004, a 14.9% increase compared to the 2003 period.

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