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  September 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

November 13, 2002