v2.4.0.8

Subsequent Event (Details) (Divestiture of Middle East equity affiliate [Member], USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 10, 2013	Jun. 29, 2013
Divestiture of Middle East equity affiliate [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Subsequent event, date		Jul. 10, 2013
Subsequent Event, Amount, Lower Range	$ 11
Subsequent Event, Amount, Higher Range	$ 13
Subsequent Event, Amount Per Diluted Share, Lower Range	$ 0.13
Subsequent Event, Amount Per Diluted Share, Higher Range	$ 0.15

X

- Definition

The highest estimated amount per diluted share of the financial effect of the event or transaction that occurred between the balance sheet date and the date the financial statements are issued or available to be issued.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	hsic_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The lowest estimated amount per diluted share of the financial effect of the event or transaction that occurred between the balance sheet date and the date the financial statements are issued or available to be issued.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	hsic_SubsequentEventAmountPerDilutedShareLowerRange
Namespace Prefix:	hsic_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The highest estimated amount of the financial effect of the event or transaction that occurred between the balance sheet date and the date the financial statements are issued or available to be issued.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 11

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 855

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6842918&loc=SL6314017-165662

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventAmountHigherRange
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The lowest estimated amount of the financial effect of the event or transaction that occurred between the balance sheet date and the date the financial statements are issued or available to be issued.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 11

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 855

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6842918&loc=SL6314017-165662

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventAmountLowerRange
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Date the event occurred after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issues or available to be issued, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 855

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6842918&loc=SL6314017-165662

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SubsequentEventsDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration