Hires Seasoned Executive with Extensive Business Experience

    MINNEAPOLIS, July 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Patterson Dental Company
(Nasdaq: PDCO) today announced the early retirement of Ronald Ezerski,
executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective July 31, 1999.
R. Stephen Armstrong, formerly with Ernst & Young LLP, has been named as
Ezerski's replacement.
    Ezerski, 53, was a member of the original management group that acquired
Patterson in 1985.  He began his career with the company in 1982 as vice
president of finance and as president of its subsidiary, Dental Capital
Corporation.  That subsidiary was merged into the company in 1988.  In 1997
Ezerski became executive vice president of the company.  He was named a
director of Patterson in 1983, and will continue to serve on the company's
board.
    "Over the past 17 years, Ron has made outstanding contributions in every
area to the development and success of Patterson," said Peter Frechette,
chairman and chief executive officer.  "Through his leadership and dedication,
he has helped set the standards for Patterson, playing a key role in building
a successful national company recognized as an industry leader.  We are very
pleased that he will continue to contribute his experience and advice as a
director of the company."
    "While we are sorry to see Ron relinquish his day-to-day role with the
company, we are very pleased to have a leader of Steve's caliber joining us,"
added Frechette.  "He brings more than 26 years of management and business
skills to Patterson, and has an established track record for success.  As we
continue to expand, Steve's expertise will greatly reinforce our efforts."
    Armstrong, 48, spent 26 years at Ernst & Young LLP, an international
services firm, most recently as a senior assurance partner, and served as an
advisor to Patterson for five years during his tenure there.  At Ernst &
Young, he served publicly held national and multi-national clients in the
consumer products, manufacturing and service industries, with extensive
experience in Securities and Exchange Commission requirements and reporting,
inventory accounting techniques, acquisition due diligence and reporting,
corporate income tax, and stock compensation programs.  He also participated
in the firm's quality assurance program, counseling and development of its
professional staff, professional training programs, and recruitment.
    Armstrong holds a Bachelors of Science degree from St. John's University,
Collegeville, Minnesota.  He is a member of the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants and the Minnesota Society of Certified Public
Accountants.
    Patterson Dental Company is one of the largest distributors of dental
products in North America.  The company supplies more than 82,500 products to
dentists, dental laboratories, institutions, physicians and other healthcare
providers.  These products include x-ray film, impression and restorative
materials, hand instruments, sterilization products, front office forms and
stationery as well as capital equipment.  Patterson markets its products and
services through approximately 986 sales representatives and equipment
specialists in the United States and Canada.

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