v2.4.0.8

Segment Data (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 28, 2013 number | Sep. 28, 2013 | Jun. 29, 2013 | Mar. 30, 2013 | Dec. 29, 2012 | Sep. 29, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2012 | Mar. 31, 2012 | Dec. 28, 2013 number | Dec. 29, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting [Abstract] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of reportable segments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 |  |
Number of countries served globally | 25 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 25 |  |
Goodwill impairment loss |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 0 |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales | 2,526,370,000 | 2,348,956,000 | 2,391,810,000 | 2,293,511,000 | 2,408,438,000 | 2,231,058,000 | 2,201,452,000 | 2,099,019,000 | 9,560,647,000 | 8,939,967,000 | 8,530,242,000
Operating income | 186,883,000 | 160,477,000 | 176,065,000 | 153,629,000 | 181,342,000 | 149,622,000 | 154,702,000 | 133,295,000 | 677,054,000 | 618,961,000 | 582,149,000
Income before taxes, equity in earnings of affiliates and loss on sale of equity investment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 664,694,000 | 604,188,000 | 569,307,000
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 128,035,000 | 125,322,000 | 115,896,000
Income taxes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 190,891,000 | 187,858,000 | 180,212,000
Interest income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 12,853,000 | 13,394,000 | 15,593,000
Interest expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 27,538,000 | 30,902,000 | 30,377,000
Purchases of fixed assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 60,215,000 | 51,237,000 | 45,176,000
Total assets | 5,624,636,000 |  |  |  | 5,333,997,000 |  |  |  | 5,624,636,000 | 5,333,997,000 | 4,740,144,000
Health Care Distribution [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 9,240,600,000 | 8,656,554,000 | 8,279,622,000
Operating income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 590,664,000 | 541,667,000 | 512,094,000
Income before taxes, equity in earnings of affiliates and loss on sale of equity investment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 581,759,000 | 529,236,000 | 501,266,000
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 113,670,000 | 113,688,000 | 106,485,000
Income taxes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 165,869,000 | 165,346,000 | 157,391,000
Interest income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 12,816,000 | 13,293,000 | 15,531,000
Interest expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 27,375,000 | 30,790,000 | 30,350,000
Purchases of fixed assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 57,364,000 | 47,057,000 | 42,751,000
Total assets | 5,277,354,000 |  |  |  | 5,001,188,000 |  |  |  | 5,277,354,000 | 5,001,188,000 | 4,542,331,000
Health Care Distribution [Member] | Dental [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4,997,972,000 | 4,774,482,000 | 4,764,898,000
Health Care Distribution [Member] | Animal Health [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,599,461,000 | 2,321,151,000 | 2,010,270,000
Health Care Distribution [Member] | Medical [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1,643,167,000 | 1,560,921,000 | 1,504,454,000
Technology and Value-Added Services [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 320,047,000 | 283,413,000 | 250,620,000
Operating income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 86,390,000 | 77,294,000 | 70,055,000
Income before taxes, equity in earnings of affiliates and loss on sale of equity investment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 82,935,000 | 74,952,000 | 68,041,000
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 14,365,000 | 11,634,000 | 9,411,000
Income taxes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 25,022,000 | 22,512,000 | 22,821,000
Interest income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 37,000 | 101,000 | 62,000
Interest expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 163,000 | 112,000 | 27,000
Purchases of fixed assets |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,851,000 | 4,180,000 | 2,425,000
Total assets | $ 347,282,000 |  |  |  | $ 332,809,000 |  |  |  | $ 347,282,000 | $ 332,809,000 | $ 197,813,000

X
- Definition Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.18) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 12 -Article 7 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 18 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_Assets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of loss from the write-down of an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=14024403&loc=d3e13854-109267 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13777-109266 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=14024403&loc=d3e13816-109267 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_GoodwillImpairmentLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income or expense before Income or Loss from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h)(1)(i)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesMinorityInterestAndIncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of current income tax expense (benefit) and deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Article 4 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Income Tax Expense (or Benefit) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6515339 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a),(b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32639-109319 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450988&loc=d3e26243-108391 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.9) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Paragraph 9 -Article 9 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InterestExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount before accretion (amortization) of purchase discount (premium) of interest income on nonoperating securities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 7 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of countries in which the entity operates as of balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NumberOfCountriesInWhichEntityOperates
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number of segments reported by the entity. A reportable segment is a component of an entity for which there is an accounting requirement to report separate financial information on that component in the entity's financial statements. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 03 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_SegmentReportingAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration