4/25/08

NEW YORK, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Dental product maker Dentsply International Inc (XRAY.O: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Wednesday that third-quarter earnings rose, partly because of strong results in specialty businesses, including implants, orthodontics and endodontics.

Net earnings rose to $65.7 million or 42 cents per share, from $49.45 million, or 31 cents per share a year earlier, the York, Pennsylvania-based company said. Net sales rose 12 percent to $488.1 million.

Earnings, excluding restructuring and other items, were $61.0 million or 39 cents per share, compared with $52.2 million or 33 cents per share in the third quarter of 2006.

Looking ahead, Dentsply increased its full-year 2007 earnings forecast to a range of $1.62 to $1.66 per share, excluding items, from $1.60 to $1.64 per share.