Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 25, 2011	Jun. 26, 2010	Jun. 25, 2011	Jun. 26, 2010	Dec. 25, 2010
Attributable to Redeemable noncontrolling interests:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$ 1,328		$ 1,328		$ (864)
Attributable to Henry Schein, Inc.:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	111,893		111,893		41,138
Unrealized gain (loss) from foreign currency hedging activities	750		750		(1,060)
Unrealized investment loss	(979)		(979)		(1,176)
Pension adjustment loss	(8,743)		(8,743)		(8,388)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	102,921		102,921		30,514
Total Accumulated other comprehensive income	104,249		104,249		29,650
Foreign currency translation gain attributable to Redeemable noncontrolling interests	300	(4,209)	2,192	(7,696)
Comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes [Abstract]
Comprehensive income attributable to Henry Schein, Inc.	107,560	50,845	243,377	76,858
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	143	20	238	33
Comprehensive income attributable to Redeemable noncontrolling interests	10,738	4,933	19,011	7,785
Comprehensive income	$ 118,441	$ 55,798	$ 262,626	$ 84,676

Accumulated adjustment attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests, net of tax, that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into the reporting currency from the functional currency of the reporting entity, net of reclassification of realized foreign currency translation gains (losses).

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Accumulated appreciation or loss, net of tax, in value of the total of unsold securities at the end of an accounting period.

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Accumulated change, net of tax, in accumulated gains and losses from derivative instruments designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges. Includes an entity's share of an equity investee's increase (decrease) in deferred hedging gains or losses.

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Accumulated adjustment, net of tax, that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into the reporting currency from the functional currency of the reporting entity, net of reclassification of realized foreign currency translation gains (losses).

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The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the economic entity, including both controlling (parent) and noncontrolling interests. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, including any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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