Patterson Companies
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

(Mark One)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended April 28, 2001

OR

[_] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the transition period from __________ to __________

Commission File No. 0-20572

PATTERSON DENTAL COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Minnesota 41-0886515
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

1031 Mendota Heights Road
St. Paul, Minnesota 55120
(Address of principal executive offices including Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (651) 686-1600

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, par
value $.01

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days. Yes X No ___
---

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K [X]

The aggregate market value of voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the
registrant as of July 16, 2001, was approximately $1,555,474,000.

As of July 16, 2001, there were 67,828,739 shares of Common Stock of the
registrant issued and outstanding.

Documents Incorporated By Reference

Certain portions of the document listed below have been incorporated by
reference into the indicated part of this Form 10-K.

Document Incorporated Part of Form 10-K
--------------------- -----------------

Proxy Statement for 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders Part III
FORM 10-K INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
<S> <C>
PART I ................................................................................................... 2
Item 1. BUSINESS................................................................................ 2
Item 2. PROPERTIES.............................................................................. 10
Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS....................................................................... 10
Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS..................................... 11

PART II ................................................................................................... 11
Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.................... 11
Item 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA.................................................... 12
Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS.............................................................................. 12
Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.............................. 16
Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA............................................. 18
Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE.............................................................................. 32

PART III ................................................................................................... 32
Item 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT...................................... 32
Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.................................................................. 32
Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.......................... 32
Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.......................................... 32

PART IV ................................................................................................... 33
Item 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K......................... 33

SIGNATURES.................................................................................................... 35

SCHEDULE II................................................................................................... 36

INDEX TO EXHIBITS............................................................................................. 37
</TABLE>

i
PART I

1. BUSINESS

Certain information of a non-historical nature contained in Items 1, 2, 3
and 7 of this Form 10-K includes forward-looking statements. Reference is made
to Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations - Factors that May Affect Future Operating Results, for a
discussion of certain factors which could cause the Company's actual operating
results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking
statements.

General

Patterson Dental Company ("Patterson" or the "Company") is one of the two
largest distributors of dental products in North America. The Company, a full-
service, value-added supplier to dentists, dental laboratories, institutions,
physicians, and other healthcare professionals, provides: consumable products
(including x-ray film, restorative materials, hand instruments and sterilization
products); advanced technology dental equipment; practice management software;
and office forms and stationery. The Company offers its customers a broad
selection of dental products including more than 82,500 stock keeping units
("SKU's") of which approximately 2,800 are private-label products sold under the
Patterson name. Patterson also offers customers a full range of related services
including dental equipment installation, maintenance and repair, dental office
design and equipment financing. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to
Patterson or the Company include its subsidiaries: Direct Dental Supply Co.;
Patterson Dental Canada, Inc.; Patterson Dental Supply, Inc.

The Company markets its dental products and services through over 1,000
direct sales representatives, 220 of whom are equipment specialists, operating
from 95 sales offices in the United States and Canada. The Company processes
nearly 13,000 customer orders each business day using a computerized order
processing network that links the Company's sales offices and 11 distribution
centers. The Company estimates that 96% of its consumable goods orders are
shipped complete within 24 hours. To support its marketing efforts and
facilitate order entry, Patterson publishes a catalog containing approximately
18,000 dental products; a tri-yearly publication, Patterson Today, featuring
dental equipment; and periodic direct mail advertisements highlighting popular
and specially priced items. Customers may order through a sales representative
or directly from the Company electronically through various media, including the
Internet, or by mail or telephone.

Patterson Dental Company was founded by M.F. Patterson in 1877. In May
1985, the Company's management and certain investors purchased the Company from
a subsidiary of The Beatrice Companies, Inc. Patterson became a publicly traded
company in October 1992. Net sales have increased from $165.8 million in fiscal
1986 to $1,156.5 million in fiscal 2001, operating margins have increased every
year since fiscal 1985 and profitability has increased from an operating loss in
fiscal 1986 to operating income of $115.1 million in fiscal 2001.


Industry Background

Total expenditures for dental services in the United States increased from
$13 billion in 1980 to $60 billion in 2000. Domestic dental care expenditures
are projected by the Health Care Financing Administration to grow 6% annually,
reaching $109 billion by the year 2010. The Company believes that the demand for
dental services, equipment and supplies will continue to be influenced by the
following factors:

. Demographics. The U.S. population grew from 235.1 million in 1980 to
277.8 million in 2000, and is expected to reach 300.0 million by 2010.
The median age of the population is also increasing and Patterson
believes that older dental patients spend more on a per capita basis
for dental services.

. Dental products and techniques. Technological developments in dental
products have contributed to advances in dental techniques and
procedures, including cosmetic dentistry and dental implants.

. Demand for certain dental procedures. Demand is growing for preventive
dentistry and periodontic (the treatment of gums), endodontic (root
canals), orthodontic (braces) and other dental procedures which enable
patients to keep their natural teeth longer and improve their
appearance.

2
.      Demand for infection control products. Greater public awareness and
new regulations and guidelines instituted by OSHA, the American Dental
Association and state regulatory authorities have resulted in
increased use of infection control (asepsis) products such as
protective clothing, gloves, facemasks and sterilization equipment to
prevent the spread of communicable diseases such as AIDS, hepatitis
and herpes.

. Coverage by dental plans. An increasing percentage of dental services
are being funded by private dental insurance. The Health Care
Financing Administration statistics on expenditures for dental
services in the United States indicate that private dental insurance
paid approximately 50% of the $60 billion in total expenditures for
2000 as compared to approximately 30% of the $13 billion in total
expenditures for 1980.

See Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations - Factors That May Affect Future Operating Results.

According to the American Dental Association, there are over 150,000
dentists practicing in the United States in approximately 113,000 dental
practices, representing a fragmented, geographically diverse market. There are
approximately 17,000 licensed dentists in Canada according to the Canadian
Dental Association. Dental supplies and equipment are purchased by dentists from
full-service dental distributors such as Patterson, through mail order
distributors, or, as to certain products, directly from manufacturers. Full-
service distributors typically employ a sales force to make calls on dental
offices and to provide quick response time, personal attention and product
knowledge. With the introduction of new products and technologies, dentists are
demanding more sophisticated, personalized service from distributors of dental
products. The Company believes that it is well positioned to compete as a full-
service distributor of dental products, based primarily on its qualified and
motivated sales force, experienced service technicians, broad range of products
and services, accurate and timely delivery, strategic location of sales offices
and distribution centers, and competitive pricing.

Patterson's Strategy

Patterson's objective is to remain a leading national distributor of dental
supplies, equipment and related services while continuing to improve its
profitability and enhance its value to customers. To achieve this objective,
Patterson has adopted a strategy of emphasizing its value-added, full-service
capabilities, using technology to enhance customer service, continuing to
improve operating efficiencies, and growing through internal expansion and
acquisitions.

Emphasizing Value-Added, Full-Service Capabilities. Patterson believes that
its customers value full service and responsive delivery of quality supplies and
equipment, in addition to competitive prices. Customers also increasingly expect
suppliers to be knowledgeable about products and services. The Company's
knowledgeable sales representatives and equipment specialists assist customers
in the selection and purchasing of supplies and equipment and provide
consultation on office design, equipment requirements and financing. The
educational benefits that Patterson's sales force provides are essential for the
dental practitioner as the sales force is often one of their primary links to
industry knowledge, especially with respect to new products. In addition, the
high quality sales force allows Patterson to offer broader product lines. Most
dentists are independent, sole practitioners who are unable to store and manage
large volumes of supplies in their offices. Patterson meets its customers
requirements by delivering frequent, small quantity orders rapidly and reliably
from its strategically located distribution centers. As part of its focus on
complete customer satisfaction, Patterson's trained service technicians perform
equipment installation, maintenance and repair services.

Using Technology, Including the Internet, to Enhance Customer Service. As
part of its commitment to providing superior customer service, the Company
offers its customers easy order placement. The Company has offered electronic
ordering capability since 1987 when it first introduced Remote Order Entry
(REMO(SM)). The Company believes that its computerized order entry systems help
to establish relationships with new customers and increase loyalty among
existing customers. The remote order entry systems permit customers to place
orders from their offices directly to Patterson 24 hours a day, seven days a
week. Over the years, the Company has continued to introduce new order entry
systems designed to meet the varying needs of its customers. Today the Company
offers five systems, REMO(SM), REMO-Net(SM), REMO-Ware(SM), PDXpress(R) and
PassPort(SM) Plus. These systems are used by customers as well as the Company's
sales force. Over the years, the number of orders transmitted electronically has
grown steadily to approximately 50% of Patterson's consumable dental products
volume or $345 million in fiscal year 2001.

3
The Company's current Internet system, REMO-Net(SM), in addition to on-line
ordering capabilities, provides order status and shipment tracking, product
look-up, comparison shopping, new product introduction and access to "Patterson
Today" articles. Longer term, the goal of the Company's Internet strategy is to
distribute information and service related products over the Internet to enhance
customers' practices and to increase sales force productivity. During the past
year, the Company has been augmenting its Internet system, and plans to launch
the enhanced Internet system in late summer of this year. The new Internet
environment will include enhanced order entry via eMAGINE-Net(SM), continuing
education products, manufacturers' product information, an office design
application and a tool to provide real time customer and Company information to
the Company's sales force.

For those customers not using the Internet, the Company offers four
alternative products. REMO(SM) and REMO-Ware(SM) give customers direct and
immediate ordering access through a personal computer to a database containing
Patterson's complete inventory. PDXpress(R) is a handheld order entry system
that eliminates handwritten order forms by permitting a user to scan a product
bar code from an inventory tag system or from Patterson's bar-coded catalog.
PassPort(SM) Plus is a smart phone which incorporates automated ordering and bar
code scanning with credit card processing. The Company has begun the rollout of
its newest order entry system, eMAGINE(SM). eMAGINE(SM) has become the standard
platform for the sales representative. Beta testing for customers is under way
and the system should be available for all customers wishing to use it in early
fall 2001. It will replace REMO-Ware(SM) and includes many new features and
upgrades including: up to three years of order history for the customer's
reference, faster searches for products and reports, order tracking, instant
information on monthly product specials, descriptions and photographs of popular
products and an electronic custom catalog, including a printable version with
scanable bar codes. These systems, including eMAGINE(SM), are provided at no
additional charge to customers who maintain certain minimum purchase
requirements.

Continuing to Improve Operating Efficiencies. Patterson continues to
implement programs designed to improve operating efficiencies and allow for
continued sales growth over time. These programs include enhancing its
management information and product handling systems and consolidating its
distribution centers to improve product availability and to reduce redundancies
in personnel, equipment and certain inventories. In addition, by offering its
electronic order entry systems to customers, Patterson enables its sales
representatives to spend more time with existing customers and to call on
additional customers. Most recently, the Company launched its new Infosource
program, a web-based system that disseminates key sales reports, customer
purchasing trends and other administrative information to the Company's sales
force and branch managers. Infosource allows sales representatives to more
effectively and efficiently market the Company's broad product line while
enabling branch managers to increase their productivity.

Growing through Internal Expansion and Acquisitions. The Company intends to
continue to grow by opening additional sales offices, hiring established sales
representatives, hiring and training college graduates as territory sales
representatives, and acquiring other distributors in order to enter new markets
and expand its customer base. The Company believes that it is well positioned to
take advantage of expected continued consolidation in the dental products
distribution industry. Over the past 14 years the Company has made the following
acquisitions:

Dental distribution acquisitions in the United States

. In August 1987, Patterson acquired the D.L. Saslow Co., which at the
time was the third largest distributor of dental products in the
United States. Between 1989 and 2001, Patterson acquired the customer
base and certain assets of 23 smaller dental dealers throughout the
United States. During fiscal 2001, the Company acquired Micheli Dental
Supply, Inc., which did business as A.B.E. Dental, of Belmont
California.

Dental distribution acquisitions in Canada

. In October 1993, the Company completed the acquisition of Healthco
International, Inc.'s Canadian subsidiary, Healthco Canada, Inc. Now
known as Patterson Dental Canada, Inc., this subsidiary, which the
Company believes is one of the two largest full-service dental
products distributors in Canada, employs approximately 463 people, 129
of whom are sales representatives. In August 1997, the Company
acquired Canadian Dental Supply Ltd. which expanded the Company's
market share in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario.

4
Printed office products acquisitions

. In October 1996, the Company acquired the Colwell Systems division of
Deluxe Corporation. Colwell Systems produces and sells a variety of
printed office products used in medical and dental offices. In
February 1999, the Company acquired Professional Business Systems,
Inc. (PBS), Colwell's largest supplier, to expand production capacity.

Software acquisitions

. In July 1997, the Company acquired EagleSoft, Inc., a developer and
marketer of Windows(R)-based practice management software for dental
offices. EagleSoft is located in Effingham, Illinois. In September
2000, the Company acquired eCheck-up.com, a web-based, value-added
service that complements and expands the Company's current product
offerings to the front office of the dental practice. ECheck-up.com is
a newly developed Internet service that provides on-line payroll,
human resources, payables processing and benchmarking services to
subscribing dental customers through its website.

The Company has operations in the U.S. and Canada and conducts business in
one segment, dental distribution. This segment is comprised of the Company's
dental supply, printed office products and software groups. Approximately half
of the printed office products are sold to non-dental healthcare practitioners.
The following table shows the approximate percentages of net sales contributed
by sales category for the last three fiscal years:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Consumable Dental and Printed Products ..................... 63% 63% 63%

Equipment and Software...................................... 28 28 27

Other (1)................................................... 9 9 10
--- --- ---
Total.................................................. 100% 100% 100%
=== === ===
</TABLE>

(1) Consists of other value-added products and services.


Consumable Dental and Printed Products

Dental Supplies. Patterson offers a broad product line of consumable dental
supplies such as x-ray film and solutions; impression materials; restorative
materials (composites and alloys); hand instruments; sterilization products;
infection control products such as protective clothing, gloves and facemasks;
paper, cotton and other disposable products; toothbrushes and a full line of
dental accessories including instruments, burs, and diamonds. Patterson markets
its own private label line of dental supplies including anesthetics,
instruments, preventive and restorative products, and cotton and paper products.
Compared to most name brand supplies, the private label line provides lower
prices for the Company's customers and higher margins for the Company.

Printed Products. The Company provides a variety of printed products,
office filing supplies, and practice management systems to office-based
healthcare providers including medical and dental offices. Products include
custom printed products, insurance and billing forms, stationery, envelopes and
business cards, labels, file folders, appointment books and other stock office
supply products. Products are sold through two channels:

. The Company's dental distribution sales force
. Catalogs distributed to over 150,000 customers several times a year

5
Both channels are supported by a telemarketing staff located in Champaign,
Illinois. Orders are received by telephone, through the mail or electronically
from the dental distribution order processing system.

The printed office products group employs 476 people and operates from two
facilities located in Champaign, Illinois, and one in Roselle, Illinois. The
largest facility is an 86,200-square-foot printing plant located in Champaign
specializing in short-run printing and custom printed products. The other
facility in Champaign serves as the call center for its telemarketing group and
administrative offices. The Roselle facility is a 32,000-square-foot building
that houses printing, assembly, distribution and sales operations.

Equipment and Software

Equipment. Patterson offers a wide range of dental equipment products
including x-ray machines, high-and low-speed handpieces, dental chairs, dental
handpiece control units, diagnostic equipment, sterilizers, dental lights and
compressors. The Company also distributes newer technology equipment that
provides customers with the tools to improve productivity and patient
satisfaction. Examples of such innovative and high-productivity products include
the CEREC product family, a chair side restoration system; air abrasion systems;
digital x-rays; and the Triangle Sterilization Center.

Software. The Company develops and markets practice management software for
dental professionals. Products include software for scheduling, billing,
charting and storage/retrieval of digital images. The Company also sells
software products developed by third parties including Sidexis by Sirona, Dimax2
by Planmeca and VixWin by Gendex. These value-added products are designed to
help achieve office productivity improvements which translates into higher
profitability for the customer. To support its customers as they continue to
integrate newer technology into their dental practice, the Company established
the Patterson Technology Call Center at EagleSoft to assist customers with
problems or questions related to digital software integration. A key element of
the Company's strategy is to provide seamless integration of digital imaging
products with practice management software so that customers can quickly store,
retrieve and transfer images. In fiscal 2001, the Company realigned its
EagleSoft sales force to report directly to Patterson's sales offices. As
Patterson Technology Representatives, they team with other sales representatives
and are responsible for selling digital products as well as practice management
software. Management believes this realignment enables the Company more to fully
capitalize on market demand and based on fiscal 2001 results believes the
realignment was a sound decision. EagleSoft has a total of 153 employees, of
whom 122 are dedicated to software development, sales and product support.

Other

Software Services. The Company offers a variety of services to complement
its software products such as service agreements, electronic claims processing
and billing statement processing. These services provide value to customers by
allowing them to receive payments more rapidly while obtaining greater
productivity.

Equipment Installation, Repair and Maintenance. To keep their practices
running efficiently, dentists require reliable performance from their equipment.
All major equipment sold by Patterson includes installation and Patterson's
90-day labor warranty at no additional charge. Patterson also provides complete
repair and maintenance service for all dental equipment, whether or not
purchased from Patterson, including 24-hour handpiece repair service.
Patterson's 807 service technicians call on dental offices throughout the United
States and Canada. A computerized scheduling, tracking and billing system
documents and instantly retrieves customer repair histories, and helps Patterson
to keep frequently needed repair items in inventory.

Dental Office Design. Patterson provides dental office layout and design
services through the use of Patterson's own computer-aided design (CAD) program.
Equipment specialists can create original or revised dental office blueprints in
a fraction of the time required to produce conventional drawings. Customers
purchasing major equipment items receive dental office design services at no
additional charge.

Equipment Financing. The Company provides a variety of options to fulfill
its customers' financing needs. For qualified purchasers of equipment, the
Company will arrange financing for the customer through Patterson or a third
party, or will arrange a leasing program with an outside party. These
alternatives allow the Company to offer its customers convenience while still
meeting their diverse financing needs. In fiscal 2001, the Company originated
over $101 million of equipment finance contracts.

Equipment leasing is provided by Banc of America Vendor Finance, a unit of
BankAmerica, pursuant to an agreement entered into in July 1993. Applications
for financing originated by the Company are reviewed by Banc of America Vendor
Finance,

6
which upon approval may purchase the equipment and lease it to the customer or
purchase an installment sale contract from the Company without recourse. In
November 1998, Patterson entered into a finance referral agreement with The
Matsco Companies. Referral fees are received for financing contracts that are
initiated by Patterson. There are no recourse provisions under this agreement.

The Company has entered into a combined Contract Purchase and Revolving
Credit Agreement with U.S. Bank National Association, under which U.S. Bank
National Association and three additional banks committed to purchase from the
Company, on a limited recourse basis, the Company's installment sale contracts
secured by dental equipment. The Company continues to service the accounts. As
of April 2001, the combined Contract Purchase Agreement and unsecured revolving
credit facility with the banks allowed for a maximum credit line of $100
million. As of April 28, 2001, contracts with an outstanding principal balance
of $100 million had been sold under the Contract Purchase Agreement. The Company
had no outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement. On April 30,
2001, the Company extended its bank contract and revolving purchase agreement
which now provides for unsecured borrowings and sales of installment contract
receivables of up to a combined $125 million. See Note 5, "Financing," of the
Consolidated Financial Statements.

Sales and Marketing

During fiscal 2001, Patterson sold consumable dental products to over
114,000 customers in the U.S. and Canada who made one or more purchases of
supplies during the year. Patterson's customers include dentists, dental
laboratories and institutions. No single customer accounted for more than 1% of
sales during fiscal 2001, and Patterson is not dependent on any single customer
or geographic group of customers. The Company's sales and marketing efforts are
designed to establish and improve customer relationships through personal
interaction with its sales representatives and frequent direct marketing
contact, which underscores the Company's value added approach.

A primary component of the Company's value-added approach is its sales
force. Due to the fragmented nature of the dental products market, Patterson
believes that a large sales force is necessary to reach potential customers and
to provide full service. Sales representatives provide an education link to the
overall dental industry, assist dentists in selecting and purchasing products
and help customers efficiently manage their supply inventory. Each
representative works within an assigned sales territory from one of 95 sales
offices under the supervision of a branch sales manager. Sales representatives
are all Patterson employees and are generally compensated on a commission basis,
with some representatives receiving a base salary and commission.

To assist its sales representatives, Patterson publishes a variety of
catalogs and fliers containing product and service information. Patterson's
customers receive a full-line product catalog containing over 18,000 inventoried
items. Selected consumable supplies, new products, specially priced items and
high-demand items such as asepsis products are promoted through merchandise
fliers printed bimonthly and distributed to over 100,000 dentists nationwide. In
addition, equipment sold by the Company is featured in the Company's tri-yearly
publication, Patterson Today, which also includes articles on dental office
design, trends in dental practice, products and services offered by Patterson,
and information on equipment maintenance.

Distribution

The Company believes that responsive delivery of quality dental supplies
and equipment is a key element to providing complete customer satisfaction.
Patterson ships its dental supplies and printed office products from 11
distribution centers with 478 warehouse employees. The Company's dental sales
offices are configured with display areas where the latest dental equipment can
be demonstrated. Equipment inventory is also staged at sales offices before
delivery to dental offices for installation.

Orders for consumable supplies can be placed by telephone or electronically
24 hours a day, seven days a week. All orders are routed through the Company's
centralized computer ordering, shipping and inventory management system, which
is linked to each of the Company's strategically located distribution centers.
If an item is not available in the distribution center nearest to the customer,
the computer system automatically directs shipment of the item from another
center. Rapid and accurate order fulfillment is another principal component of
the Company's value-added approach. The Company estimates that 96% of its
consumable goods orders are shipped complete within 24 hours. The Company
believes it averages only one error per every 1,150 orders.

In order to assure the availability of the Company's broad product
lines for prompt delivery to customers, the Company must maintain sufficient
inventories at its distribution centers. Purchasing is centralized and inventory
levels are managed by the purchasing department using a real-time perpetual
inventory system. The Company's inventory consists mostly of dental supply

7
items; equipment is generally custom-ordered for customers. By utilizing its
computerized inventory management and ordering systems, the Company is able to
accurately predict inventory turns in order to minimize inventory levels for
each item.

Sources of Supply

Effective purchasing is a key strategy the Company has adopted in order to
achieve its objective of continuing to improve profitability. Recently, the
Company began a program to effectuate electronic data interchange (EDI) with its
major vendor partners. In fiscal 2001, the Company processed 45% of its vendor
invoices using EDI capabilities. In addition, 35% of Patterson's purchase order
volume was conducted employing EDI, which represented 60% of purchase order
dollars placed during the fiscal year. Utilizing EDI allows the Company to
improve efficiencies and reduce administrative costs.

The Company obtains dental products from approximately 1,100 vendors. In
addition, the Company has exclusive distribution agreements with several quality
dental equipment manufacturers including Sirona on the CEREC, Triangle for
sterilization centers, and Schick Technologies for digital x-rays. The Company
is the only national dealer for A-dec equipment, including chairs, units and
cabinetry. In fiscal 2001, the Company's top 10 vendors and single largest
vendor accounted for approximately 50% and 12%, respectively, of the cost of
products sold. There is more than one source of supply for almost all of the
categories of products sold by the Company.

Competition

The highly competitive U.S. dental products distribution industry consists
principally of national, regional and local full-service distributors and mail-
order distributors. The dental supply market is extremely fragmented. In
addition to Patterson and one other national, full-service firm, Henry Schein,
Inc., there are at least 20 full-service distributors which operate on a
regional level, and hundreds of small local distributors. Also, some
manufacturers sell directly to end-users, and thereby eliminate the role of the
Company. Patterson believes that it differentiates itself from its competition
based primarily on its qualified and motivated sales force, experienced service
technicians, broad range of products and services, accurate and timely delivery,
strategic location of sales offices and distribution centers, and competitive
pricing.

The Company also experiences competition in Canada. Principal competitors
include two national, full-service distributors, Ash Temple and Arcona, a
division of Henry Schein, Inc. The Company believes it competes in Canada on
essentially the same basis as in the United States.

Trademarks

Patterson has registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office
the marks "Patterson" and "PDXpress". The Company believes that the Patterson
mark is well recognized in the dental products industry and by dental
professionals, and is therefore a valuable asset of the Company. The Company
also claims rights in the mark "eMAGINE".

Employees

As of April 28, 2001, the Company employed 3,853 people in the United
States and Canada on a full-time basis. Patterson has not experienced a shortage
of qualified personnel in the past, and believes that it will be able to attract
such employees in the future. None of Patterson's employees is subject to
collective bargaining agreements or represented by a union. The Company
considers its relations with its employees to be good.

Governmental Regulation

The marketing, distribution and sale of certain dental products sold by the
Company is subject to the requirements of various state, local and federal laws
and regulations. Among the federal laws which impact the Company are the Federal
Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, which regulates the advertising, record keeping,
labeling, handling, storage and distribution of drugs and medical devices, and
which requires the Company to be registered with the Federal Food and Drug
Administration, and the Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990, which imposes certain
reporting requirements on distributors in the event of an incident involving
serious illness, injury or death caused by a medical device. In addition, the
Company is required to be licensed as a distributor of drugs and medical devices
by each state in which it conducts business. The Company believes that it is in
substantial compliance with all of the foregoing laws and that it possesses all
licenses required in the conduct of its business.

8
Subsequent Event

On July 9, 2001, the Company acquired certain assets of J. A. Webster, Inc., the
leading distributor of veterinary supplies to companion pet (dogs, cats and
other common household pets) veterinary clinics in the eastern United States and
the third largest nationally. One of the most respected names in the veterinary
supply industry, Webster is a value-added, full service distributor of
consumable supplies, equipment, diagnostic products, biologicals (vaccines) and
pharmaceuticals. A description of J. A. Webster's business, industry, and
factors that may affect its future operating results is included in Item 5 of
the Form 8-K filed by the Company on July 9, 2001 announcing the acquisition.
The information set forth under Item 5 captioned "About J. A. Webster, Inc." on
Form 8-K is included as Exhibit 99 to this Form 10-K and is incorporated into
this Item 1 by reference.


Executive Officers of the Registrant

Set forth below are the names, ages and positions of the executive
officers of the Company as of June 30, 2001.

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Peter L. Frechette 63 President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director - Patterson
Dental Company
R. Stephen Armstrong 50 Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
- Patterson Dental Company
James W. Wiltz 56 Vice President and Director - Patterson Dental Company and
President Patterson Dental Supply, Inc.
Mary H. Baglien 58 Vice President, Human Resources - Patterson Dental Company
Lynn E. Askew 39 Vice President, Management Information Systems - Patterson
Dental Company
Gary D. Johnson 54 Vice President, Sales - Patterson Dental Supply, Inc.
R. Reed Saunders 53 Vice President - Patterson Dental Supply, Inc. and President
- Colwell Systems
Richard A. Kochmann 49 Vice President , Marketing - Patterson Dental Supply, Inc.
Normand Senecal 56 President - Patterson Dental Canada, Inc.
</TABLE>

The officers of the Company are elected annually and serve at the
discretion of the Board of Directors. None of the Company's officers is employed
pursuant to a written employment contract.

Background of Executive Officers

Peter L. Frechette has been President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company since September 1982 and has been a director of Patterson since
March 1983. Prior to joining Patterson, Mr. Frechette was employed by American
Hospital Supply Corporation for 18 years, the last seven of which he served as
president of its Scientific Products Division. Mr. Frechette is also a director
of FinishMaster, Inc.

R. Stephen Armstrong was elected Executive Vice President, Treasurer
and Chief Financial Officer of the Company effective July 31, 1999. Prior to
joining Patterson, Mr. Armstrong had been an Assurance Partner with Ernst &
Young LLP. Ernst & Young LLP is currently the Company's independent public
auditor.

James W. Wiltz has been a Vice President of the Company since 1986
and has been employed by Patterson since September 1969, initially as a
territory sales representative. In 1980, Mr. Wiltz was appointed Vice President
of the Midwestern Division and was appointed Vice President, Sales and
Distribution in 1986. In 1996, Mr. Wiltz became President of the Company's
subsidiary, Patterson Dental Supply, Inc. He was appointed to the Board of
Directors in March 2001.

Mary H. Baglien joined Patterson Dental Company in November of 1977
as Sales Training Director. In 1981 Ms. Baglien became Director of Human
Resources and continued in that capacity until June of 1998, when she was named
Vice President of Human Resources.

9
Lynn E. Askew became Vice President,  Management  Information
Systems, on September 1, 1999. Mr. Askew joined Patterson in 1994 as Manager,
Distributed Systems, and was promoted to Director, Systems and Development in
1996. Prior to joining Patterson, Mr. Askew provided advanced technology
consulting and project management services to various organizations, including
Patterson.

Gary D. Johnson has been Vice President, Sales, of Patterson Dental
Supply, Inc. since October 1996. Mr. Johnson has served in various sales and
management positions since he joined the Company in August 1981.

R. Reed Saunders has been a Vice President of Patterson Dental
Supply, Inc. since March 1997 and is President of its Colwell Systems division.
Prior to joining Patterson, Mr. Saunders spent 15 years with American Express
Company as Senior Vice President - Chief Marketing Officer of its division,
American Express Financial Advisors.

Richard A. Kochmann was promoted to Vice President, Marketing, of
Patterson Dental Supply, Inc. in November 2000. Mr. Kochmann began his career
with Patterson in 1980 as a college representative and has held various sales
and management positions within the Company.

Normand Senecal has been President of the Company's Canadian
subsidiary Patterson Dental Canada Inc., since it was acquired from Healthco
International, Inc. in 1993.

2. PROPERTIES

The Company owns its principal executive offices in St. Paul,
Minnesota.

Distribution facilities are located in California, Florida, Illinois,
Indiana, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington and Canada. Approximately 75%, or
378,000 square feet, of the total distribution space is owned by the Company and
the balance is leased.

The Company also maintains sales and administrative offices inside
the United States at 86 locations in 45 states and outside the United States at
11 locations in Canada. All of these locations are leased. The Company has two
owned manufacturing facilities, which are used in the Colwell division.

In management's opinion, all buildings, machinery and equipment are
in good condition, suitable for their purposes and are maintained on a basis
consistent with sound operations. Currently, the Company does not have
substantial idle facilities.


3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company has been involved in various product-related and
employment-related legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business.
Some of these proceedings involve product liability claims arising out of the
use of dental products manufactured by third parties and distributed by the
Company. The Company believes that if any such product liability cases are
determined in favor of the claimants, the manufacturers of such products would
have primary responsibility for any damages because Patterson is a distributor
of finished goods manufactured by third parties. In the event a manufacturer of
a defective product is unable to pay a judgment for which the Company may be
jointly liable, the Company could have liability for the entire judgment.

Among the product liability cases in which the Company is currently a
defendant, fifteen involve claims by healthcare workers claiming damages from
allergic reactions from exposure to latex gloves distributed by the Company. In
each of these cases the Company acted as a distributor of "Patterson" private
label gloves manufactured by third parties, as well as gloves bearing the brand
names of other suppliers. In each of these cases the Company intends to seek
indemnification from or assert claims against the glove manufacturers pending
completion of product identification.

10
Since May 1985 the Company has maintained product liability insurance
coverage for any potential liability for claims arising out of products sold by
the Company. The Company believes that any liabilities which might result from
pending cases and claims relating to events occurring after May 1985 would be
adequately covered by such insurance and that any unfavorable results in such
cases would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business or
financial condition. With respect to claims relating to events occurring prior
to May 1985, the agreement providing for the acquisition of Patterson from The
Beatrice Companies, Inc. provides that Beatrice and its successors are obligated
to indemnify the Company for losses exceeding a litigation reserve established
at the time of the acquisition plus $200,000. The successor to Beatrice has not
been asked to indemnify the Company regarding any pending cases and has not
contested its obligation to indemnify the Company. Although the Company has
insurance coverage for product liability claims relating to events occurring
after May 1985 and may be entitled to indemnification from third parties under
certain circumstances, any additional litigation could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business or financial condition in the future.


4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

There were no matters submitted to a vote of the Company's shareholders
during the three-month period ended April 28, 2001.

PART II

5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The Company's common stock trades on the Nasdaq Stock Market(R) under
the symbol "PDCO".

The following table sets forth the range of high and low sale prices
for the Company's common stock for each full quarterly period within the two
most recent fiscal years. Sales prices are adjusted for the two-for-one stock
split on June 13, 2000. Such quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without
retail mark-up, mark-down or commission, and may not necessarily represent
actual transactions.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
High Low
---- ---
Fiscal 2000
First Quarter............................... $ 21.00 $ 16.75
Second Quarter.............................. $ 25.06 $ 18.38
Third Quarter............................... $ 24.13 $ 19.44
Fourth Quarter.............................. $ 24.75 $ 16.25

High Low
---- ---
Fiscal 2001
First Quarter............................... $ 26.94 $ 21.44
Second Quarter.............................. $ 31.00 $ 18.75
Third Quarter............................... $ 34.38 $ 26.06
Fourth Quarter.............................. $ 33.88 $ 29.13
</TABLE>

On July 16, 2001, the number of holders of record of common stock was
2,874. The transfer agent for the Company's common stock is Wells Fargo Bank
Minnesota, N.A., 161 North Concord Exchange, South St. Paul, Minnesota,
55075-0738, telephone: (651) 450-4064.

The Company has not paid any cash dividends on its common stock since
its initial public offering in 1992 and expects that for the foreseeable future
it will follow a policy of retaining earnings in order to finance the continued
development of its business. Payment of dividends is within the discretion of
the Company's Board of Directors and will depend upon the earnings, capital
requirements and operating and financial condition of the Company, among other
factors.

11
6.   SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Fiscal Year Ended
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
April 28, April 29, April 24, April 25, April 26,
2001 2000 1999 1998 1997/(2)/
---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Statement of Operations Data:
- ----------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales/(3)/ $1,156,455 $ 1,045,883 $ 883,268 $ 782,284 $ 691,779
Cost of sales/(3)/ 747,301 678,766 571,698 505,069 455,967
---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Gross margin/(3)/ 409,154 367,117 311,570 277,215 235,812
Operating expenses/(3)/ 294,039 269,658 234,098 212,833 184,627
---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Operating income 115,115 97,459 77,472 64,382 51,185
Other income (expense) - net 7,081 5,540 2,239 1,324 1,119
---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income before income taxes 122,196 102,999 79,711 65,706 52,304
Income taxes 45,721 38,527 29,815 24,937 19,687
---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net income $ 76,475 $ 64,472 $ 49,896 $ 40,769 $ 32,617
========== =========== =========== =========== ===========

Earnings per share - diluted/(1)/ $ 1.13 $ 0.95 $ 0.75 $ 0.61 $ 0.50
---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Weighted average dilutive potential
shares outstanding/(1)/ 67,763 67,544 66,993 66,325 65,379
---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Dividends per common share -- -- -- -- --


Balance Sheet Data:
- ------------------
Working capital $ 310,046 $ 238,502 $ 187,952 $ 133,256 $ 96,893
Total assets 549,180 451,976 373,250 316,373 255,311
Total debt 990 1,719 2,097 7,202 10,792
Stockholders' equity 408,515 330,470 265,199 210,303 163,662
</TABLE>

(1) Amounts are adjusted for two-for-one stock split on June 13, 2000 and
three-for-two stock split on January 12, 1998. See Note 1, "Earnings
per Share," to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2) Consolidated results have been restated to include the operations of
Canadian Dental Supply, Ltd. acquired in August 1997, and accounted for
as a pooling-of-interests.
(3) Net sales, cost of sales, gross margins, and operating expenses have
been reclassified for all periods presented to comply with Emerging
Issues Task Force Issue 00-10, "Accounting for Shipping and Handling
Fees and Costs." See Note 1, "Reclassification of Shipping Fees," of
the Consolidated Financial Statements.

7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS

Patterson has established certain operating goals, which historically
included increasing net sales four percentage points faster than the average
industry growth rate, which it believes is 7% to 9%, but increased this goal to
six points for fiscal years 2000 and 2001. The Company also targets a 50 basis
point annual improvement in its operating margin. On average, attaining these
goals should translate into annual earnings growth between 18% and 20%. The
Company achieved these goals in fiscal year 2001, reporting a 13% increase in
comparable net sales, a 70 basis point expansion in net margin versus fiscal
2000 and an 18.6% increase in net income.

Over the recent five-year period, sales have grown 13.6% and net income
advanced 21.7% compounded annually. Net income over the five years benefited
from cost controls that reduced operating expenses in relation to sales to 25.4%
of sales in fiscal 2001 versus 26.7% in fiscal 1997, and improved the gross
profit margin to 35.4% in fiscal 2001 compared with 34.1% in fiscal 1997.

The Company's effective strategy for growth has focused on internal
growth and the acquisition of smaller dental distributors to achieve a broader
customer base and expanded direct sales representation. The acquisition strategy
also features the addition of complementary product lines, such as supplies and
forms for the dentist's front office, and practice management software. Over the
last five years, Patterson has completed 14 acquisitions of companies with
annual sales of $159.9 million and

12
gained a total of 136 sales representatives. The Company estimates its internal
growth excluding acquisitions was approximately 11% during this period. The
number of direct sales representatives has increased 38% since fiscal 1997, and
sales per direct sales representative have increased more than 28%, evidencing
the effectiveness of the Company's strategies.

The Company operates in one segment, dental products distribution. The
Company distributes consumable supplies, equipment, printed office products,
services and software primarily to dental professionals in the U.S. and Canada.

Results of Operations

The following table summarizes the results of operations over the past
three fiscal years as a percent of sales:


2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
Net sales 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of sales 64.6% 64.9% 64.7%
------ ------ ------
Gross margin 35.4% 35.1% 35.3%
Operating expenses 25.4% 25.8% 26.5%
------ ------ ------
Operating income 10.0% 9.3% 8.8%
Other income 0.6% 0.5% 0.2%
------ ------ ------
Income before taxes 10.6% 9.8% 9.0%
Income taxes 4.0% 3.6% 3.4%
------ ------ ------
Net income 6.6% 6.2% 5.6%
====== ====== ======

Fiscal 2001 Compared to Fiscal 2000

Net Sales. Sales for the year increased 10.6% to $1,156.5 million from
$1,045.9 million in fiscal 2000. Results for fiscal 2001 are based on a 52-week
year versus 53 weeks in fiscal 2000. Excluding the impact of the additional week
in fiscal 2000, sales increased 13%. Sales of dental equipment were the
Company's principal sales growth driver during the fiscal year increasing 18% on
a comparable basis. Equipment sales were fueled by sales of new generation
dental equipment and solid performance from the Company's core dental equipment
lines. Acquisitions added approximately 2% or $23.8 million to the overall sales
increase. Sales references in parentheses exclude the additional week. Sales of
consumable dental supplies, including printed office products increased 8.1%
(10%) for the year paced by the US dental market where consumable sales
increased 10.4% (13%). A nominal increase in the Canadian market and a 4.2% (2%)
decline in printed office products tempered consumable sales growth in fiscal
2001. Printed office product sales to the dental market increased in step with
consumable dental supplies. However, total printed office product sales were
lower than last year due to reduced sales to the non-dental markets. Equipment
and software sales grew 15.4% (17%). The Company experienced double-digit sales
growth in most equipment product offerings in the U.S. dental market. Sales of
clinical software units grew with digital equipment, but total software unit
sales declined in fiscal 2001 due to reduced sales of front-office practice
management software. Sales of practice management software were enhanced
significantly in fiscal 2000 by the need of many dental offices to become Y2K
compliant. Sales of other services and products, up 13.2% (15%) from last year,
benefited from strong sales of technical service and parts, software support and
insurance e-claims.

Gross Margin. Gross margins increased $42.0 million or 11.5% over
fiscal 2000 due to increased sales volumes and an improvement in the gross
margin rate to 35.4% in fiscal 2001 from 35.1% in fiscal 2000. The 30 basis
point increase in the gross margin rate reflects better margins at the
point-of-sale and changes in product mix.

Operating Expenses. Operating expenses for the year increased 9.0% over
the prior year but declined as a percent of sales from 25.8% to 25.4%. Higher
sales volumes, higher commission expense resulting from the Company's margin
based commission programs, and increased spending on advertising were the
primary factors driving the 9.0% increase in operating expenses. The 40 basis
point improvement in the expense rate reflects the benefit of improved operating
leverage and cost containment efforts.

Operating Income. Operating income increased 18.1% and amounted to
10.0% of sales in fiscal 2001. As a percent of sales, operating income was 70
basis points better than fiscal 2000 due to both improvements in the gross
margin and operating expense rates.

13
Other Income. Other income, net of expenses, came to $7.1 million for
fiscal 2001 compared to $5.5 million for fiscal 2000. The increase in other
income reflects higher average short-term investments of cash.

Income Taxes. The effective income tax rate at 37.4% remained the same
as last year.

Net Income. Net income increased to $76.5 million, or 18.6% due to the
factors discussed above.

Earnings Per Share. Diluted earnings per share increased to $1.13
versus $0.95 reported a year ago, an 18 cent or 18.9% increase over a year ago.

Fiscal 2000 Compared to Fiscal 1999

Net Sales. Net sales for fiscal 2000 increased 18.4% to $1,045.9
million from $883.3 million in fiscal 1999. Results for fiscal 2000 are based on
a 53-week year versus 52 weeks in 1999. Excluding the impact of the additional
week, sales increased approximately 16%. Significant improvements in Canada,
acquisitions and increases in both sales representatives and customer base were
the primary contributors to the sales increase. In fiscal 2000, Patterson Dental
Canada sales increased by 18.6% to $88.8 million. Acquisitions added
approximately $18.6 million or 2 percentage points to the overall sales
increase. During 2000 the Company's sales force grew by 60 representatives and
the total number of customers who purchased supplies from the Company increased
approximately 16%. Sales mix was consistent with prior year. Sales references in
parentheses exclude the additional week. Sales of dental and printed products
increased 19.0% (17%) due primarily to contributions from an expanded sales
force, an increase in the number of customers and the PBS acquisition. Excluding
the impact of the acquisition of PBS, and the additional week, consumable dental
products were up 14.5%. Equipment and software sales increased 18.5% (17%) due
to strong demand across the equipment product lines and incremental software
sales from customers upgrading their systems to be year 2000 compliant. Other
revenues increased 13.6% (12%) reflecting growth in equipment repair and
maintenance services and electronic claims processing and software maintenance
contract sales.

Gross Margin. Gross margin decreased to 35.1% in fiscal 2000 from
35.3% in 1999 due primarily to the absence of certain buying opportunities that
were available last year. Point-of-sale margins were the same as fiscal 1999.
Gross profit increased 17.8% to $367.1 million for fiscal 2000. The increase in
gross profit was due primarily to the increase in sales volume.

Operating Expenses. Operating expenses increased 15.2% to $269.7
million for fiscal 2000 from $234.1 million in 1999. The majority of the
increase in operating expenses was related to greater sales volume, incentive
compensation and higher healthcare costs. Operating expenses as a percent of
sales declined from 26.5% to 25.8% reflecting increased productivity across all
business lines.

Operating Income. Operating income increased 25.8% to $97.5 million for
fiscal 2000 from $77.5 million for fiscal 1999. The Company was able to leverage
its infrastructure against the strong sales increase which improved the
operating margin to 9.3% of sales versus 8.8% reported a year ago.

Other Income. Other income, net of expenses, was $5.5 million for
fiscal 2000 compared to $2.2 million for fiscal 1999. Other income increased due
primarily to increased average short-term investments of cash.

Income Taxes. The effective income tax rate at 37.4% remained the same
as last year.

Net Income. Net income increased to $64.5 million, up $14.6 million or
29.2% over last year due to strong sales performance and the improved
utilization of the Company's cost structure.

Earnings Per Share. Diluted earnings per share increased to $0.95
versus $0.75 reported a year ago, a 20 cent or 26.7% increase. Intuitively
earnings were increased by the additional week in fiscal 2000; however, the
impact on earnings of that additional week cannot be reasonably measured.

14
Liquidity and Capital Resources

Patterson's operating cash flow, which generally parallels net
earnings, has been the Company's principal source of liquidity in 2001, 2000 and
1999. Cash generated from operating activities was invested in working capital,
capital expenditures and acquisitions.

Operating activities generated cash of $80.1 million in 2001 compared
with $67.9 million in 2000 and $51.6 million in 1999. The $12.2 million increase
in 2001 over 2000 and the $16.3 million increase in 2000 over 1999 reflected the
Company's continuing increase in profitability and improved productivity in the
use of working capital.

Capital expenditures net of dispositions were $10.0, $15.4, and $7.1
million in 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The increase in fiscal 2000
reflected spending for a new distribution center which came on line in February
2000. The Company expects to invest about $12.0 million in capital spending in
2002 to enhance information systems and upgrade facilities.

In 2001, the Company invested $3.8 million to acquire one dental
distribution business and eCheck-Up.com, a web-based value-added service
company. In comparison, the Company invested $12.6 million in 2000 to obtain
three dental distribution businesses and made a $1.3 million investment in 1999
to purchase two smaller dental distributors.

Available liquid resources at April 28, 2001, consisted of $184.5
million of cash and short-term investments and $3.6 million available under
existing bank lines. In May 2001, the Company amended its Contract Purchase
Agreement and unsecured revolving credit facility to increase its maximum
borrowing limit by $25 million. The Company believes that these resources and
funds generated from operations are sufficient to meet any existing and
presently anticipated cash needs. In addition, the Company believes it has
sufficient debt capacity to obtain the necessary funds for use in accomplishing
its corporate objectives.

Asset Management

The following table summarizes the Company's days sales outstanding
(DSO), inventory turnover, and sales per employee over the past three fiscal
years:

2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----

Days sales outstanding 43 43 43
Inventory turnover (1) 7.1 6.5 6.0
Sales per employee (000's) $300 $276 $244

(1) The inventory values used in this calculation are the LIFO
inventory values for U.S. dental inventories and the FIFO inventory
value for Canadian, Colwell and EagleSoft inventories.


Foreign Operations

Foreign sales are derived primarily from operations in Canada.
Fluctuations in currency exchange rates have not significantly impacted
earnings. However, net sales in fiscal 2001 were adversely affected by the
strengthening of the U.S. dollar. Without foreign currency effects, net sales
would have increased by an additional $2.5 million. The Company expects the
unfavorable US/Canadian exchange rate to continue to impact its rate of
year-over-year sales growth during the first half of fiscal 2002. Changes in
currency exchange rates is a risk accompanying foreign operations, but this risk
is not considered material with respect to the Company's business.

Subsequent Event

On July 9, 2001, the Company acquired certain assets of J. A. Webster,
Inc., the leading distributor of veterinary supplies to companion pet (dogs,
cats and other common household pets) veterinary clinics in the eastern United
States and the third largest nationally. One of the most respected names in the
veterinary supply industry, Webster is a value-added, full service distributor
of consumable supplies, equipment, diagnostic products, biologicals (vaccines)
and pharmaceuticals. A description of J. A. Webster's business, industry, and
factors that may affect its future operating results is included in Item 5 of
the Form 8-K

15
filed by the Company on July 9, 2001 announcing the acquisition. The information
set forth under Item 5 captioned "About J. A. Webster, Inc." on Form 8-K is
included as Exhibit 99 to this Form 10-K and is incorporated into this Item 7 by
reference.

Factors That May Affect Future Operating Results

Certain information of a non-historical nature contained in Items 1, 2, 3
and 7 of this Form 10-K include forward-looking statements. Words such as
"believes," "expects," "plans," "estimates," "intends" and variations of such
words are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. The statements
are not guaranties of future performance and are subject to certain risks,
uncertainties or assumptions that are difficult to predict; therefore, the
Company cautions shareholders and prospective investors that the following
important factors, among others, could cause the Company's actual operating
results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking
statements. The statements under this caption are intended to serve as
cautionary statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. The following information is not intended to limit in any
way the characterization of other statements or information under other captions
as cautionary statements for such purpose. The order in which such factors
appear below should not be construed to indicate their relative importance or
priority.

. Reduced growth in expenditures for dental services by private dental
insurance plans.

. The accuracy of the Company's assumptions concerning future per capita
expenditures for dental services, including assumptions as to population
growth and the demand for preventive dental services such as periodontic,
endodontic and orthodontic procedures.

. The rate of growth in demand for infection control products currently
used for prevention of the spread of communicable diseases such as AIDS,
hepatitis and herpes.

. The ability of the Company to retain its base of customers and to
increase its market share.

. The ability of the Company to maintain satisfactory relationships with
qualified and motivated sales personnel.

. Changes in the economics of dentistry affecting dental practice growth
and the demand for dental products, including the ability and willingness
of dentists to invest in high-technology diagnostic and therapeutic
products.

. The Company's ability to meet increased competition from national,
regional and local full-service distributors and mail-order distributors
of dental products, while maintaining current or improved profit margins.

. The continued ability of the Company to maintain satisfactory
relationships with key vendors and the ability of the Company to create
relationships with additional manufacturers of quality, innovative
products.

7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market Risk

The Company is subject to market risk associated with changes in interest
rates and foreign currency exchange rates.

The Company's earnings are affected by changes in short-term interest rates
as a result of its investment in short-term commercial paper and government
securities. As of the end of fiscal 2001 and 2000, the fair market value of the
investments approximated the carrying value. If market interest rates for these
investments averaged 10 percent more or less in 2001 and 2000, the Company's
interest income would have changed by approximately $0.5 million in 2001 and
$0.3 million in 2000.

The Company has operations in Canada which it considers to be both long-
term and strategic. As a result, the Company does not hedge the long-term
translation exposure to its balance sheet. The Company experienced translation
adjustments of $(0.3) million in 2001 and $0.2 million in 2000 which were
reflected in the balance sheet as an adjustment to stockholders' equity. The
cumulative translation adjustment at the end of 2001 showed a negative
translation adjustment of $(2.3) million.

16
The Company purchases a portion of the products it sells from suppliers
located in countries other than where the products are sold. The risk of
transaction gains and losses from changes in foreign exchange rates is not
material as a majority of these purchases are denominated in the U.S. dollar.

17
8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Patterson Dental Company

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Patterson
Dental Company as of April 28, 2001 and April 29, 2000, and the related
consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity and cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended April 28, 2001. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
Patterson Dental Company at April 28, 2001, and April 29, 2000, and the
consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended April 28, 2001, in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
May 24, 2001, except note 11 as to which the date is July 18, 2001

18
PATTERSON DENTAL COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
April 28, April 29,
2001 2000
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents..................................................... $ 160,024 $ 113,453
Short-term investments........................................................ 24,484 4,720
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,166 and $4,208
at April 28, 2001 and April 29, 2000, respectively........................ 144,625 132,419
Inventory..................................................................... 103,700 92,838
Prepaid expenses and other current assets..................................... 9,928 7,978
--------- ---------
Total current assets........................................................ 442,761 351,408
Property and equipment, net..................................................... 48,575 46,022
Intangibles, net................................................................ 51,892 50,730
Other........................................................................... 5,952 3,816
--------- ---------
Total assets................................................................ $ 549,180 $ 451,976
========= =========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable.............................................................. $ 89,321 $ 80,097
Accrued payroll expense....................................................... 20,866 15,194
Income taxes payable.......................................................... 4,805 1,110
Other accrued liabilities..................................................... 17,723 16,505
--------- ---------
Total current liabilities................................................... 132,715 112,906
Non-current liabilities......................................................... 3,693 3,458
--------- ---------
Total liabilities........................................................... 136,408 116,364
Deferred credits................................................................ 4,257 5,142
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred Stock Series A, $.01 par value, $11.20 per share liquidation
value:
Authorized shares - 10,000,000........................................... -- --
Preferred Stock, $.01 par value:
Authorized shares - 20,000,000........................................... -- --
Common Stock, $.01 par value:
Authorized shares - 100,000,000
Issued and outstanding shares - 67,489,466 and 67,363,446 at
April 28, 2001, and April 29, 2000, respectively....................... 675 674
Additional paid-in capital...................................................... 68,049 67,022
Accumulated other comprehensive loss............................................ (2,316) (2,060)
Retained earnings............................................................... 354,371 277,896
Note receivable from ESOP....................................................... (12,264) (13,062)
--------- ---------
Total stockholders' equity.................................................. 408,515 330,470
--------- ---------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity.................................. $ 549,180 $ 451,976
========= =========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes

19
PATTERSON DENTAL COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year Ended
-------------------------------------------------
April 28, April 29, April 24,
2001 2000 1999
---------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales.............................................. $1,156,455 $1,045,883 $883,268

Cost of sales.......................................... 747,301 678,766 571,698
---------- ---------- --------

Gross profit........................................... 409,154 367,117 311,570

Operating expenses..................................... 294,039 269,658 234,098
---------- ---------- --------

Operating income....................................... 115,115 97,459 77,472

Other income and expense:
Amortization of deferred credits.............. 885 885 885
Finance income, net .......................... 6,534 4,826 2,012
Interest expense.............................. (123) (132) (517)
Loss on currency exchange..................... (215) (39) (141)
---------- ---------- --------

Income before income taxes............................. 122,196 102,999 79,711

Income taxes........................................... 45,721 38,527 29,815
---------- ---------- --------

Net income............................................. $ 76,475 $ 64,472 $ 49,896
========== ========== ========

Earnings per share -- basic............................ $ 1.13 $ 0.96 $ 0.75
========== ========== ========

Earnings per share -- diluted.......................... $ 1.13 $ 0.95 $ 0.75
========== ========== ========

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic......................................... 67,435 67,346 66,793
Diluted....................................... 67,763 67,544 66,993
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes

20
PATTERSON DENTAL COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Accumulated
Other
Additional Compre- Note
Common Paid-in hensive Retained Receivable
Stock Capital (Loss) Earnings from ESOP Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at April 25, 1998........... $ 333 $ 63,134 $ (1,624) $ 162,797 $ (14,337) $ 210,303


Change in translation adjustment.... -- -- (598) -- -- (598)
Net income.......................... -- -- -- 49,896 -- 49,896
------
Comprehensive income................ 49,298

Common stock issued, net............ 1 3,689 -- -- -- 3,690
Payment on ESOP note................ -- -- -- -- 669 669
Pooling-of-interests - PBS ......... 2 (202) -- 1,068 -- 868
Stock issued for acquisition........ -- 371 -- -- -- 371
------ -------- --------- --------- --------- ----------

Balance at April 24, 1999........... 336 66,992 (2,222) 213,761 (13,668) 265,199



Change in translation adjustment.... -- -- 162 -- -- 162
Net income.......................... -- -- -- 64,472 -- 64,472
------
Comprehensive income................ 64,634

Common stock issued, net............ 1 3,784 -- -- -- 3,785
Payment on ESOP note................ -- -- -- -- 606 606
Share repurchases................... -- (3,754) -- -- -- (3,754)
Stock split (2 for 1)............... 337 -- -- (337) -- --
------ -------- --------- --------- --------- ----------

Balance at April 29, 2000........... 674 67,022 (2,060) 277,896 (13,062) 330,470


Change in translation adjustment.... -- -- (256) -- -- (256)
Net income.......................... -- -- -- 76,475 -- 76,475
------
Comprehensive income................ 76,219

Common stock issued, net............ 1 4,610 -- -- -- 4,611
Payment on ESOP note................ -- -- -- -- 798 798
Share repurchases................... -- (3,583) -- -- -- (3,583)
------ -------- --------- --------- --------- ----------

Balance at April 28, 2001........... $ 675 $ 68,049 $ (2,316) $ 354,371 $ (12,264) $ 408,515
====== ======== ========= ========= ========= ==========
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes

21
PATTERSON DENTAL COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year Ended
----------------------------------------------
April 28, April 29, April 24,
2001 2000 1999
----------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operating activities:
Net income............................................................. $ 76,475 $ 64,472 $ 49,896
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation....................................................... 7,771 7,161 6,366
Amortization of deferred credit.................................... (885) (885) (885)
Amortization of goodwill........................................... 3,306 3,029 2,716
Bad debt expense................................................... 821 1,267 1,148
Deferred taxes..................................................... (1,038) (3,141) (367)
Change in assets and liabilities net of acquired:
Increase in receivables........................................... (13,889) (17,367) (6,364)
(Increase) decrease in inventory.................................. (10,981) 3,211 (9,212)
Increase in accounts payable...................................... 9,307 10,154 6,127
Increase in accrued liabilities................................... 7,295 163 3,216
Other changes from operating activities, net...................... 1,877 (183) (1,028)
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities.............................. 80,059 67,881 51,613

Investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of facility......................................... -- -- 2,215
Additions to property and equipment, net............................... (10,014) (15,373) (7,088)
Purchase of investments................................................ (19,764) (4,720) --
Acquisitions........................................................... (3,797) (12,569) (1,280)
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash used in investing activities.................................. (33,575) (32,662) (6,153)

Financing activities:
Payments of long-term debt............................................. (683) (425) (4,825)
Repayments of revolving credit borrowings.............................. -- -- (1,850)
Cash payments received on note receivable from ESOP.................... 798 606 669
Repurchases of common stock............................................ (3,583) (3,754) --
Common stock issued, net............................................... 3,668 3,135 3,690
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities.................... 200 (438) (2,316)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash................................ (113) (74) (17)
--------- --------- ---------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents.............................. 46,571 34,707 43,127
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period....................... 113,453 78,746 35,619
--------- --------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period............................. $ 160,024 $ 113,453 $ 78,746
========= ========= =========

Supplemental disclosures:
Income taxes paid...................................................... $ 42,162 $ 37,148 $ 32,062
Interest paid.......................................................... 127 134 575
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes

22
PATTERSON DENTAL COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

APRIL 28, 2001
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the
Company's wholly owned subsidiaries Patterson Dental Supply, Inc., Direct Dental
Supply Co. and Patterson Dental Canada, Inc. Significant intercompany
transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain
reclassifications of previously reported amounts have been made to conform to
the current year presentation.

Description of Business

The Company is one of the two largest distributors of dental products
in North America. The Company, a full-service, value-added supplier to dentists,
dental laboratories, institutions, physicians, and other healthcare
professionals, provides: consumable products (including x-ray film, restorative
materials, hand instruments and sterilization products); advanced technology
dental equipment; practice management software; office forms and stationery; and
related dental services. The Company markets its products and services through
more than 1,000 sales representatives and equipment specialists in the United
States and Canada.

Fiscal Year End

The Company utilizes a fifty-two, fifty-three week fiscal year ending
on the Saturday nearest April 30. Fiscal years 2001 and 1999 each consisted of
fifty-two weeks. Fiscal year 2000 consisted of fifty-three weeks.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist primarily of investments in money market
funds, highly-rated commercial paper and government securities. The maturities
of these securities at the time of purchase is 90 days or less. Short-term
investments consist of highly-rated commercial paper, corporate notes and bonds
and government securities with maturities longer than 90 days at the date of
purchase. All cash equivalents and short-term investments are classified as
available for sale and cost approximates market value.

Inventory

Inventory consists of merchandise held for sale and is stated at the
lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the last-in, first-out (LIFO)
method for domestic dental inventories and the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method
for all other inventories. Inventories valued at LIFO represent 84% and 85% of
total inventories at April 28, 2001, and April 29, 2000, respectively.

The accumulated LIFO provision was $15,981 at April 28, 2001, and
$15,355 at April 29, 2000. The Company believes that inventory replacement cost
exceeds the inventory balance by an amount approximating the LIFO reserve.

23
Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. The Company provides
depreciation on the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of 40 years
for buildings or expected remaining life of purchased buildings, 3 to 20 years
for leasehold improvements or the term of the lease, if less, 5 years for data
processing equipment, and 5 to 10 years for office furniture and equipment.

Intangibles

Intangibles represent primarily the excess of the purchase price over
the fair value of the net tangible assets of acquired businesses and are
amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of 20 years. Accumulated
amortization at April 28, 2001 and April 29, 2000 was $13,164 and $9,858,
respectively. The Company periodically reviews its long-lived assets, including
fixed assets, for indicators of impairment using an estimate of the undiscounted
cash flows generated by those assets. The Company's financial statements for
fiscal years 1999 through 2001 reflect no such impairments.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues recognized include product sales, billings for freight and
handling charges, and fees earned for services provided. Consumable dental and
printed product sales and billings for freight and handling charges are recorded
as products are shipped. Equipment and software product revenues are also
recognized upon shipment. Revenue derived from post contract customer support
for software is deferred and recognized ratably over the period in which the
support is provided. Other service revenues are recorded on the date services
are completed.

In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff
Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 101, "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements,"
which provided additional guidance and clarified the application of generally
accepted accounting principles to revenue recognition in financial statements.
The Company's adoption of SAB 101 did not have a material impact on the
Company's results of operation, financial position or cash flows.

Reclassification of Shipping Fees

In July 2000, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) reached a consensus
on EITF Issue 00-10, "Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs." This
consensus requires companies to classify amounts billed to customers for
shipping and handling as revenue. Prior to the consensus, the Company reported
the net costs of its shipping and handling activities as operating expenses. In
addition to reclassifying shipping charges recovered from customers to revenue,
the Company reclassified freight-out expense to cost of sales. The impact of
these reclassifications increased previously reported net sales and cost of
sales while reducing operating expenses. Reported earnings did not change. The
amounts reclassified from operating expenses to net sales were $5,535 and
$4,495; and from operating expenses to cost of sales were $21,464 and $18,761
for fiscal years 2000 and 1999, respectively.

Advertising

The Company expenses all advertising and promotional costs as incurred
except for certain catalog costs which are capitalized and amortized over future
periods based upon estimates of revenue to be generated. Total advertising and
promotional expenses were $11,987, $7,799 and $9,224 for fiscal years 2001, 2000
and 1999, respectively.

Deferred Credits

Negative goodwill (deferred credits) arose from the purchase of the
Patterson business in fiscal 1986 and D.L. Saslow Co., Inc. in fiscal 1988. The
Company is amortizing the deferred credits on a straight-line basis over 20
years.

Income Taxes

The liability method is used to account for income tax expense. Under
this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on
differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities
and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect
when the differences are expected to reverse.

24
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Compensation expense related to the Company's defined contribution ESOP
is computed based on the shares allocated method.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company applies Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related interpretations to
account for its stock option plans. Under APB No. 25, no compensation expense is
recognized if the exercise price of the Company's stock options equals the
market price on the grant date. SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation," requires that the fair value of options granted and the pro forma
impact on earnings be disclosed when material. The pro forma impact was not
material for fiscal years 2001, 2000 and 1999.

Stock Split

On June 13, 2000, the Company declared a two-for-one stock split in the
form of a 100% stock dividend payable July 21, 2000, to shareholders of record
on June 30, 2000. All references in the financial statements and related notes
to weighted average shares outstanding, share issuances, related prices and per
share amounts have been restated to reflect the split.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the
weighted average number of outstanding common shares during the period. Diluted
earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average
number of outstanding common shares and common share equivalents, when dilutive.
Certain director and employee stock options are not included in the April 28,
2001, April 29, 2000, and April 24, 1999 calculations because they are
anti-dilutive.

The following table sets forth the denominator for the computation of basic and
diluted earnings per share. There were no adjustments to the numerator.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year
------------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
--------- --------- --------
Denominator: (in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Denominator for basic earnings per
share - weighted average shares 67,435 67,346 66,793
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock Option Plans 245 111 114
Employee Stock Purchase Plan 10 10 10
Capital Accumulation Plan 73 77 76
------ ------ ------

Dilutive potential common shares 328 198 200
------ ------ ------

Denominator for diluted earnings per
share - adjusted weighted average
shares 67,763 67,544 66,993
====== ====== ======
</TABLE>

25
2.   Cash Equivalents and Investments

All cash equivalents and short-term investments are available for sale
and stated at cost, which approximates market value. At April 28, 2001 and April
29, 2000 cash equivalents and investments consisted of the following types:

Fiscal Year
----------------------
2001 2000
-------- --------

Cash on hand $ 37,218 $ 31,090
Cash Equivalents:
Certificates of deposit 5,350 --
Commercial paper 10,761 14,260
Corporate notes and bonds 7,081 --
Government securities 9,422 7,118
Money market funds 90,192 60,985
-------- --------
122,806 82,363
Short-term investments:
Commercial paper 4,170 724
Corporate notes and bonds 17,294 2,996
Government securities and other 3,020 1,000
-------- --------

24,484 4,720
-------- --------

$184,508 $118,173
======== ========

3. Acquisitions

The Company made the following acquisitions that affect the periods
covered by these financial statements:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Entity Closing date Consideration
------------------------------------ ------------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C>
ECheck-Up.com September 15 , 2000 Cash & Earn-out
Micheli Dental Supply, Inc. August 1, 2000 Cash & Earn-out
Guggenheim Brothers Dental Supply Co. March 27, 2000 Cash & Earn-out
Kentucky Dental Supply Company, Inc. October 25, 1999 Cash
Barr Dental Supply, Inc. June 28, 1999 Cash
J&S Dental Supply Company, Inc. February 9, 1999 Cash & Earn-out
Professional Business Systems ("PBS") February 5, 1999 428,634 shares
Dentaplex, Inc. July 27, 1998 Cash & Earn-out
</TABLE>

The above acquisitions have been recorded using the purchase method of
accounting, except PBS, which was accounted for as a pooling-of-interests. The
aggregate purchase price for the purchase acquisitions was allocated as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year
---------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
---------- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Purchase price $3,797 $12,569 $ 1,280

Allocated to the following:
Accounts receivable 318 4,082 271
Inventory 420 4,351 326
Fixed assets 491 802 29
Accounts payable (83) (2,765) --
Accrued expenses -- (336) --
------ ------- -------
Goodwill $2,651 $ 6,435 $ 654
====== ======= =======
</TABLE>

26
The operating results of each of these acquisitions are included in the
Company's consolidated statements of income from the date of each acquisition.
Pro forma results of operations have not been presented for the acquisitions
since the effects of these business acquisitions were not material to the
Company either individually or in the aggregate. The financial statements do not
reflect the financial position and results of operations prior to the date of
acquisition for the pooling-of-interest acquisition, PBS, based on materiality.

4. Property and Equipment

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
April 28, 2001 April 29, 2000
-------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C>
Land $ 3,790 $ 3,882
Buildings 22,432 21,505
Leasehold improvements 2,381 2,042
Furniture and equipment 31,684 26,951
Data processing equipment 27,047 24,834
------------ ------------
87,334 79,214
Accumulated depreciation (38,759) (33,192)
------------ ------------
$ 48,575 $ 46,022
============ ============
</TABLE>


5. Financing

The Company initiated a combined Contract Purchase and Revolving Credit
Agreement with U. S. Bank National Association, as agent, which allows the
Company to sell, with limited recourse on an ongoing basis, its installment sale
contract receivables secured by dental equipment to U. S. Bank National
Association and three additional banks. This financing arrangement is accounted
for as a sale of assets under the provisions of SFAS No.'s 125 and 140,
"Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments
of Liabilities." During fiscal 2001, the Company sold approximately $73.7
million of its contracts under this program. The Company retains servicing
responsibilities, for which it is paid a servicing fee. The servicing fees
received by the Company are considered adequate compensation for services
rendered. Accordingly, no servicing asset or liability has been recorded.

The Company extended its bank contract purchase and revolving credit
agreement on April 30, 2001 which now provides for unsecured borrowings and
sales of installment contract receivables of up to a combined $125 million until
April 2002. The agreement requires that the Company maintain a minimum current
ratio, maximum leverage ratio and minimum net worth. The Company was in
compliance with the covenants at April 28, 2001. A total of $100.0 million of
installment contracts receivable sold under the agreement were outstanding at
April 28, 2001.

6. Leases

The Company leases facilities for its branch office locations, two
distribution facilities, and also certain equipment. These leases are accounted
for as operating leases. Future minimum rental payments under noncancelable
operating leases are as follows for the years ending in April:

<TABLE>
<S> <C>
2002 $ 5,734
2003 4,727
2004 4,053
2005 2,598
2006 1,370
Thereafter 960
----------
Total minimum payments required $ 19,442
==========
</TABLE>

Rent expense was $6,839, $7,075, and $6,020 for the years ended April
28, 2001, April 29, 2000 and April 24, 1999, respectively.

27
7. Income Taxes

Significant components of the provision (benefit) for income taxes are
as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year
---------------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
---------- --------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current:
Federal $ 40,878 $ 37,594 $ 27,012
Foreign 1,056 -- --
State 4,825 4,074 3,170
--------- --------- ---------
Total current 46,759 41,668 30,182

Deferred:
Federal (1,402) (2,437) (336)
Foreign 481 (481) --
State (117) (223) (31)
--------- --------- ---------
Total deferred (1,038) (3,141) (367)
--------- --------- ---------

Provision for income taxes $ 45,721 $ 38,527 $ 29,815
========= ========= =========
</TABLE>

Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets
(liabilities) as of April 28, 2001 and April 29, 2000 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year
---------------------------------
2001 2000
------------ -------------
<S> <C> <C>
Canadian net operating loss carryforward $ -- $ 481
Bad debt allowance 1,065 1,081
LIFO reserve (2,360) (1,742)
Financing income (1,467) (922)
Hospital insurance 1,053 783
Capital Accumulation Plan 2,973 1,773
Inventory obsolescence 1,928 808
Other 515 407
---------- --------
Total $ 3,707 $ 2,669
========== ========
</TABLE>

Income tax expense varies from the amount computed using the U.S.
statutory rate. The reasons for this difference and the related tax effects are
shown below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year
------------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
----------- ------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Tax at U.S. statutory rate $ 42,769 $ 36,048 $ 27,899
State tax provision, net of federal benefit 3,060 2,503 2,066
Effect of foreign taxes 392 (2,130) 107
Tax settlements and exposures -- 2,350 --
Amortization of deferred credit (310) (310) (310)
Other (190) 66 53
-------- ---------- ----------
$ 45,721 $ 38,527 $ 29,815
======== ========== ==========
</TABLE>

At April 29, 2000, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of
$1,048 for Canadian income tax purposes that were to expire in years 2001
through 2006. As of April 2001, all net operating loss carryforwards have been
utilized.

28
8.  Segment and Geographic Data

The Company has one reportable segment, dental distribution. This
segment distributes consumable supplies, equipment, services and software
primarily to dental professionals in the U.S. and Canada. The following table
presents sales information by product for the Company:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year
----------------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
----- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales
Consumable dental and printed products $ 719,510 $ 665,411 $ 559,032
Equipment and software 336,856 292,018 246,380
Other 100,089 88,454 77,856
----------- ---------- ---------
Total $ 1,156,455 $1,045,883 $ 883,268
=========== ========== =========
</TABLE>



The following table presents information about the Company by
geographic area. There were no material sales between geographic areas.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Year
----------------------------------------------
2001 2000 1999
----- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales
United States $ 1,068,871 $ 957,107 $ 808,427
Canada 87,584 88,776 74,841
----------- ---------- ---------
Total $ 1,156,455 $1,045,883 $ 883,268
=========== ========== =========

Long-lived Assets
United States $ 102,209 $ 95,843 $ 81,504
Canada 4,210 4,725 5,102
----------- ---------- ---------
Total $ 106,419 $ 100,568 $ 86,606
=========== ========== =========
</TABLE>

9. Shareholders' Equity


Share Repurchases

In September 1999, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of
up to two million shares of the Company's common stock. The Company repurchased
125,000 and 180,000 shares of its common stock for $3,583 and $3,754 during
fiscal 2001 and 2000, respectively.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

During 1990, the Company's Board of Directors adopted a leveraged ESOP.
During fiscal 1991, under the provisions of the plan and related financing
arrangements, the Company loaned the ESOP $22,000 for the purpose of acquiring
its then outstanding preferred stock which was subsequently converted to common
stock. At April 28, 2001, and April 29, 2000, indebtedness of the ESOP to the
Company is shown as a deduction from stockholders' equity in the consolidated
balance sheets. The cost of the ESOP is borne by the Company through annual
contributions to the plan in amounts determined by the Board of Directors.
Shares of stock acquired by the plan are allocated to each employee who has
completed 1,000 hours of service during the plan year. During fiscal 2001, 2000
and 1999, shares with a cost of $798, $606 and $669, respectively, were earned
and allocated to ESOP participants. These amounts represented the Company's
contribution for each fiscal year.

At April 28, 2001, 4,588,210 shares of the common stock were allocated
to participants and had a fair market value of $139,940.

29
Stock Option Plan

In June 1992, the Company adopted the Patterson Dental Company 1992
Stock Option Plan (the "Employee Plan"). The Employee Plan provides for the
granting of options to designated employees and non-employees, including
consultants to the Company, to purchase up to a maximum of 4,050,000 shares of
common stock. The Employee Plan is administered by the Stock Option Committee,
which determines the employees, officers and others who are to receive options,
the type of option to be granted, and the number of shares subject to each
option and the exercise price of each option.

Stock options must be granted at an exercise price not less than the
fair market value of the common stock on the dates the options are granted (or,
for persons who own more than 10 percent of the Company's outstanding voting
stock, not less than 110 percent of such fair market value). Stock options
granted under the Employee Plan have exercise prices equal to the market price
on the date of the grant, vest over a three-to nine-year period, and expire ten
years following the date of the grant.

Director Stock Option Plan

In June 1992, the Company adopted a Director Stock Option Plan (the
"Director Plan"), pursuant to which 675,000 shares of Common Stock have been
reserved for the grant of non-statutory stock options to the Company's outside
directors. Options are granted at the fair market value on the date of grant and
are exercisable for a period of four years commencing one year after the date of
grant.

Following is a summary of stock option activity:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Employee Plan Director Plan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted Weighted
Average Average
Shares Exercise Shares Exercise
Available Options Price Available Options Price
for Grant Outstanding Per Share for Grant Outstanding Per Share
----------- ----------- --------- --------- ----------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance April 25, 1998 4,050,000 - - 270,000 252,000 $ 9.11
Granted (425,964) 425,964 $ 20.28 (54,000) 54,000 19.00
Exercised - - - - (36,000) 7.28
----------- ----------- --------- --------- ----------- ---------
Balance April 24, 1999 3,624,036 425,964 20.28 216,000 270,000 11.33
Granted (74,298) 74,298 18.12 (72,000) 72,000 23.81
Exercised - - - - (54,000) 6.00
Canceled 45,178 (45,178) 20.28 - - -
----------- ----------- --------- --------- ----------- ---------
Balance April 29, 2000 3,594,916 455,084 19.93 144,000 288,000 13.87
Granted (226,103) 226,103 24.74 (72,000) 72,000 22.50
Exercised - - - - (54,000) 8.83
Canceled 36,974 (36,974) 20.82 - - -
----------- ----------- --------- --------- ----------- ---------
Balance April 28, 2001 3,405,787 644,213 $ 21.58 72,000 306,000 $ 18.27
=========== =========== ========= ========= =========== =========
</TABLE>

The 644,213 options outstanding under the Employee Plan have exercise
prices ranging from $17.41 to $33.00. The 306,000 options outstanding under the
Director Plan at April 28, 2001, have exercise prices ranging from $9.33 to
$23.81. At April 28, 2001, the outstanding options had a weighted average
contractual life of 6.5 years.

30
Employee Stock Purchase Plan

In June 1992, the Company adopted an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the
"Stock Purchase Plan"). A total of 1,375,000 shares of common stock are reserved
for issuance under the Stock Purchase Plan. The Stock Purchase Plan, which is
intended to qualify under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code, is
administered by the Board of Directors of the Company or by a committee
appointed by the Board of Directors. Employees are eligible to participate after
a year of employment with the Company if they are employed for at least 20 hours
per week and more than five months per year. The Stock Purchase Plan permits
eligible employees to purchase common stock through payroll deductions, which
may not exceed 10 percent of an employee's compensation, at 85 percent of the
lower of the fair market value of the common stock on the offering date or at
the end of each three-month period following the offering date during the
applicable offering period. Employees may end their participation in the
offering at any time during the offering period, and participation ends
automatically on termination of employment with the Company. Employees purchased
99,276, 100,716 and 89,398 shares in fiscal 2001, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
At April 28, 2001, 654,850 shares were available for purchase under the Stock
Purchase Plan.

Capital Accumulation Plan

In 1996, the Company adopted an employee Capital Accumulation Plan (the
"CAP Plan"). A total of 3,000,000 shares of common stock are reserved for
issuance under the CAP Plan. Officers and other key employees of the Company or
its subsidiaries are eligible to participate by purchasing common stock through
payroll deductions, which must be between 5% and 25% of an employee's
compensation, at 75% of the average closing price of the common stock for the
calendar year. The shares issued are restricted stock and are held in the
custody of the Company until the restrictions lapse. The restriction period is
three years from the beginning of the plan year. Employees purchased 161,251,
160,734 and 155,182 shares of restricted stock in fiscal 2001, 2000 and 1999,
respectively. At April 28, 2001, 2,380,128 shares were available for purchase
under the Plan.

10. Litigation

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is subject to a variety
of product-related and employment related liability claims. The Company's
management and legal counsel believe that the loss, if any, resulting from these
claims will be substantially covered by insurance or third-party
indemnification, and any uninsured losses from such claims will not have a
materially adverse effect on its operations or financial position.

11. Subsequent Event

On July 9, 2001, the Company purchased substantially all of the assets
of J. A. Webster, Inc. and assumed certain liabilities, for a purchase price of
$92.5 million, consisting of $81.8 million in cash and $10.7 million in stock.
The acquisition agreement also includes an earnout provision tied to future
product sales, which could result in additional cash payments over five years if
certain minimum revenue milestones are achieved. J. A. Webster is the leading
distributor of veterinary supplies to companion-pet veterinary clinics in the
eastern United States and the third largest nationally.

The acquisition will be accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting. Because the transaction was consummated following the effective date
specified in Statement No. 142 of the Financial Accounting Standards Board on
"Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," the Company will not amortize goodwill
for this transaction in future financial statements.


31
12. Quarterly Results (unaudited)

Quarterly results are determined in accordance with the accounting
policies used for annual data and include certain items based upon estimates for
the entire year. All fiscal quarters include results for 13 weeks except for the
fiscal 2000 first quarter ending July 31, 1999, which included 14 weeks. Net
sales and gross profit have been reclassified to comply with Emerging Issues
Task Force Issue 00-10, "Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs."
See Note 1, "Reclassification of Shipping Fees." The following table summarizes
results for fiscal 2001 and 2000.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
---------------------------------------------------------
Apr. 28, Jan. 27, Oct. 28, Jul. 29,
2001 2001 2000 2000
-------- -------- -------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $ 305,119 $ 290,579 $ 290,717 $ 270,040
Gross profit 109,307 104,753 101,999 93,095
Operating income 31,532 30,603 28,782 24,198
Net income 21,026 20,386 18,969 16,094
Basic earnings per share $ 0.31 $ 0.30 $ 0.28 $ 0.24
Dilutive earnings per share $ 0.31 $ 0.30 $ 0.28 $ 0.24

Three Months Ended
---------------------------------------------------------
Apr. 29, Jan. 29, Oct. 30, Jul. 31,
2000 2000 1999 1999
-------- -------- -------- ---------
Net sales $ 278,840 $ 261,543 $ 249,674 $ 255,826
Gross profit 98,252 92,703 86,913 89,249
Operating income 27,035 25,971 22,310 22,143
Net income 17,980 17,192 14,811 14,489
Basic earnings per share $ 0.27 $ 0.25 $ 0.22 $ 0.22
Dilutive earnings per share $ 0.27 $ 0.25 $ 0.22 $ 0.21
</TABLE>

9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE

None.

PART III

10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Information regarding the directors of the Company is incorporated
herein by reference to the descriptions set forth under the caption "Election of
Directors" in the Company's Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held September 10, 2001 (the "2001 Proxy Statement").
Information regarding executive officers of the Company is incorporated herein
by reference to Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-K under the caption "Executive
Officers of the Registrant." Information regarding compliance with Section 16(c)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is incorporated herein by reference to
the information set forth under "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance" in the 2001 Proxy Statement.

11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information regarding executive compensation is incorporated herein
by reference to the information set forth under the caption "Compensation of
Executive Officers" in the 2001 Proxy Statement.

12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners
and management of the Company is incorporated herein by reference to the
information set forth under the caption "Security Ownership of Certain
Beneficial Owners and Management" in the 2001 Proxy Statement.

13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

None.

32
PART IV

14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) 1. Financial Statements.

The following consolidated financial statements and supplementary
data of the Company and its subsidiaries, are included in Part II, Item 8:

Report of Independent Auditors
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 28, 2001 and April 29, 2000
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended April 28, 2001,
April 29, 2000 and April 24, 1999
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the
Years Ended April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000 and April 24, 1999
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended April 28,
2001, April 29, 2000 and April 24, 1999
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2. Financial Statement Schedules.

The following financial statement schedule is filed herewith: Schedule
II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the Years Ended April 28, 2001, April
29, 2000 and April 24, 1999
Schedules other than that listed above have been omitted because they
are not applicable or the required information is included in the financial
statements or notes thereto.


3. Exhibits.

Exhibit
-------

3.1 The Company's Articles of Incorporation, as amended*

3.2 The Company's Bylaws, as amended*

4.1 Specimen form of the Company's Common Stock Certificate*

4.2 The Company's Articles of Incorporation, as amended (see
Exhibit 3.1)

4.3 The Company's Bylaws, as amended (see Exhibit 3.2)

10.1 Patterson Dental Company Employee Stock Ownership Plan, as
amended*

10.2 Patterson Dental Company 1992 Stock Option Plan*

10.3 Patterson Dental Company 1992 Director Stock Option Plan*

10.4 Patterson Dental Company Employee Stock Purchase Plan*

10.5 Patterson Dental Company Capital Accumulation Plan**

10.6 Incentive Compensation Program (Fiscal 1992)*

10.8 ESOP Loan Agreement dated June 15, 1990 as amended July 13,
1992*

10.9 Amended and Restated Term Promissory Note dated July 13, 1992*

33
10.10  Second Amended and Restated Contract Purchase Agreement dated
April 28, 2000 between Patterson Dental Company and U.S. Bank
National Association***

10.11 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated April 28, 2000
between Patterson Dental Company and U.S. Bank National
Association***

10.12 Asset Purchase Agreement by and among Patterson Dental Company
and J. A. Webster, Inc.

21 Subsidiaries

23 Consent of Independent Auditors

99 Item 5 captioned "About J. A. Webster, Inc." of Form 8-K
dated July 9, 2001
_________________________________

* Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on
Form S-1 (No. 33-51304) filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission August 26, 1992.
** Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended April 27, 1996.
*** Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended April 29, 2000.


(b) Reports on Form 8-K.

The Company did not file any reports on Form 8-K with the Securities
and Exchange Commission during the quarter ended April 28, 2001.

34
SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

PATTERSON DENTAL COMPANY

Dated: July 24, 2001
By /s/ Peter L. Frechette
-------------------------------------
Peter L. Frechette,
President and Chief Executive Officer



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Date
----
<S> <C> <C>
/s/ Peter L. Frechette President and Chief Executive Officer and July 24, 2001
- -----------------------------------
Peter L. Frechette Director (Principal Executive Officer)


/s/ R. Stephen Armstrong Executive Vice President, Treasurer, and July 24, 2001
- -----------------------------------
R. Stephen Armstrong Chief Financial Officer (Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)

/s/ Ronald E. Ezerski Director July 24, 2001
- -----------------------------------
Ronald E. Ezerski

/s/ David K. Beecken Director July 24, 2001
- -----------------------------------
David K. Beecken


/s/ Burt E. Swanson Director July 24, 2001
- -----------------------------------
Burt E. Swanson


/s/ Andre B. Lacy Director July 24, 2001
- -----------------------------------
Andre B. Lacy

/s/ James W. Wiltz Director July 24, 2001
- -----------------------------------
James W. Wiltz
</TABLE>

35
SCHEDULE II
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

PATTERSON DENTAL COMPANY
(Dollars in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Charged
Balance at Charged to to Other Balance at
Beginning Costs and Accounts - Deductions - End of
of Period Expenses Describe Describe Period
----------- ----------- ------------ -------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year ended April 28, 2001:
Deducted from asset accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 4,208 $ 821 $ -- $ 863/(1)/ $ 4,166
========== =========== =========== ============== ============

LIFO inventory adjustment $ 15,355 $ 626 $ -- $ -- $ 15,981
Inventory obsolescence reserve 3,149 9,982 -- 6,908/(2)/ 6,223
---------- ----------- ----------- -------------- ------------
Total inventory reserve $ 18,504 $ 10,608 $ -- $ 6,908 $ 22,204
========== =========== =========== ============== ============

Year ended April 29, 2000:
Deducted from asset accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 4,096 $ 1,267 $ 8/(3)/ $ 1,163/(1)/ $ 4,208
========== =========== =========== ============== ============

LIFO inventory adjustment $ 13,991 $ 1,364 $ -- $ -- $ 15,355
Inventory obsolescence reserve 1,955 4,058 -- 2,864/(2)/ 3,149
---------- ----------- ----------- -------------- ------------
Total inventory reserve $ 15,946 $ 5,422 $ -- $ 2,864 $ 18,504
========== =========== =========== ============== ============

Year ended April 24, 1999:
Deducted from asset accounts:
Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 3,954 $ 1,148 $ (540)/(3)/ $ 466/(1)/ $ 4,096
========== =========== =========== ============== ============

LIFO inventory adjustment $ 12,131 $ 1,860 $ -- $ -- $ 13,991
Inventory obsolescence reserve 1,534 2,221 -- 1,800/(2)/ 1,955
---------- ----------- ----------- -------------- ------------
Total inventory reserve $ 13,665 $ 4,081 $ -- $ 1,800 $ 15,946
========== =========== =========== ============== ============
</TABLE>

(1) Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries.
(2) Inventory disposed of and written off.
(3) Acquisition of Professional Business Systems in fiscal 1999 and
Dentaplex, Inc. in fiscal 2000.

36
INDEX TO EXHIBITS





Exhibit 10.2 Asset Purchase Agreement by and among Patterson Dental
Company and J. A. Webster, Inc.

Exhibit 21 Subsidiaries

Exhibit 23 Consent of Independent Auditors

Exhibit 99 Item 5 captioned "About J. A. Webster, Inc."
of Form 8-K dated July 9, 2001

37