Dentsply sets sales record in first quarter of 2011

Dentsply has established a new sales record during the first quarter of 2011, during which it generated a total of $570.5 million (346.28 million pounds).

This represented a year-over-year increase of 4.5 percent, while earnings per share rose by 11.4 percent to achieve a record figure of $0.49.

Increased sales were noted in the dental consumable and specialty products categories, with new product launches playing a key role in this.

The company also noted that it is currently putting in place contingency plans that will help it to mitigate the potential business impact of the recent earthquake in Japan.

Bret Wise, chairman and chief executive officer of Dentsply, said: "We are pleased to report record sales and earnings in the first quarter driven by a notable improvement in the global dental market and strong execution by the company."

This comes after the dental supplier delivered its best ever annual sales performance in 2010.