Exhibit 99.1




                           CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                            18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                            AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                 SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection  with the Quarterly  Report of DENTSPLY  International  Inc. (the
"Company")  on Form 10-Q for the period  ending June 30, 2002 as filed with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"),  I, John
C. Miles II,  Chief  Executive  Officer and  Chairman of the Board of Directors
of the Company,  certify,  pursuant to 18 U.S.C.  1350, as adopted  pursuant to
Section  906 of the  Sarbanes-Oxley  Act  of  2002,  that,  to the  best  of my
knowledge and belief:

(1)   The Report fully  complies  with the  requirements  of Sections  13(a) or
      15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)   The information  contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
      respects,  the  financial  condition and result of operations of the
      Company as of the date of the Report.



/s/ John C. Miles II
John C. Miles II
Chief Executive Officer and
Chairman of the Board of Directors

August 14, 2002