v2.4.0.8

Debt - Long-term (Details) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended |  |  |  | 12 Months Ended |  |  | 12 Months Ended |  |  |  | 3 Months Ended |  |  |  | 12 Months Ended |  |  | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 28, 2013 | Dec. 29, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 28, 2013 Private placement facilities [Member] | Dec. 29, 2012 Private placement facilities [Member] | Apr. 30, 2012 Private placement facilities [Member] company | Aug. 10, 2010 Private placement facilities [Member] company | Dec. 28, 2013 Private placement facilities [Member] Minimum [Member] | Dec. 28, 2013 Private placement facilities [Member] Maximum [Member] | Dec. 28, 2013 Private placement facilities [Member] Maximum Average [Member] | Dec. 28, 2013 Private placement facilities maturing in September 2020 [Member] | Dec. 28, 2013 Private placement facilities maturing in January 2024 [Member] | Dec. 28, 2013 Private placement facilities maturing in January 2022 [Member] | Dec. 28, 2013 Private placement facilities maturing in December 2024 [Member] | Dec. 28, 2013 Notes payable to banks [Member] | Dec. 29, 2012 Notes payable to banks [Member] | Dec. 28, 2013 Various uncollateralized loans payable with interest, in varying installments [Member] | Dec. 29, 2012 Various uncollateralized loans payable with interest, in varying installments [Member] | Dec. 28, 2013 Capital lease obligations [Member] | Dec. 29, 2012 Capital lease obligations [Member] | Mar. 30, 2013 Henry Schein Animal Health debt [Member] | Dec. 28, 2013 Henry Schein Animal Health debt [Member] | Feb. 21, 2013 Henry Schein Animal Health debt [Member] | Dec. 29, 2012 Henry Schein Animal Health debt [Member] | Dec. 28, 2013 U.S. trade accounts receivable securitization [Member] | Apr. 17, 2013 U.S. trade accounts receivable securitization [Member] | Dec. 29, 2012 U.S. trade accounts receivable securitization [Member] | Dec. 28, 2013 U.S. trade accounts receivable securitization [Member] Average Asset Backed Commercial Paper Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, amount repaid |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 220,000,000 |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument maximum borrowing capacity |  |  |  |  |  |  | 400,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 300,000,000 |  |
Private placement facility additional borrowing capacity |  |  |  |  |  | 375,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of insurance companies providing private placement facilities (in number of insurance companies) |  |  |  |  |  | 1 | 2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Term of issuances under private placement facilities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5 years | 15 years | 12 years |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Issuance period (in years) |  |  |  | 3 years |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Date of borrowing |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Sep. 02, 2010 | Jan. 20, 2012 | Jan. 20, 2012 | Dec. 24, 2012 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Due date |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Sep. 02, 2020 | Jan. 20, 2024 | Jan. 20, 2022 | Dec. 24, 2024 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Private placement facility annual payment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7,100,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Private placement facility annual payment commencement date |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | Jan. 20, 2016 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations including current maturities | 455,674,000 | 506,113,000 |  | 250,000,000 | 250,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  | 100,000,000 | 50,000,000 | 50,000,000 | 50,000,000 | 73,000 | 11,352,000 | 44,091,000 | 21,178,000 | 1,510,000 | 3,144,000 |  | 0 |  | 220,439,000 | 160,000,000 |  | 0 |
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage (in hundredths) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3.79% | 3.45% | 3.09% | 3.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument interest rate, stated percentage rate range minimum (in hundredths) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2.40% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument interest rate, stated percentage rate range maximum (in hundredths) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5.41% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate, weighted-average percentage (in hundredths) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8.23% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument,unamortized debt discount |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0 |  | 700,000 |  |  |  |
Less current maturities | (5,441,000) | (17,992,000) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Total long-term debt | 450,233,000 | 488,121,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accelerated amortization of deferred financing costs | $ 6,203,000 | $ 0 | $ 0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 6,200,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pricing commitment period |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3 years |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate at period end |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0.96%
Debt instrument, variable rate basis at period end |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0.21%
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0.75%
Commitment fee for facility usage - facility limit greater than or equal to fifty percent usage (as a percent) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0.30% |  |  |
Commitment fee for facility usage - facility limit less than fifty percent usage (as a percent) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0.35% |  |  |

X
- Definition Commitment fee under our asset-backed securitization program, in number of basis points, on the daily balance of the unused portion of the facility if usage is less than to 50% of the facility limit. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | hsic_CommittmentFeeForUsageLowerFacilityLimit
Namespace Prefix: | hsic_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Commitment fee under our asset-backed securitization program, in number of basis points, on the daily balance of the unused portion of the facility if usage is greater than or equal to 50% of the facility limit. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | hsic_CommittmentFeeForUsageUpperFacilityLimit
Namespace Prefix: | hsic_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The actual interest rate at period end for the reference rate used to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | hsic_DebtInstrumentVariableRateBasisAtPeriodEnd
Namespace Prefix: | hsic_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Maximum number of years for which the pricing is committed under the asset-backed securitization program. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | hsic_DebtPricingCommittmentPeriod
Namespace Prefix: | hsic_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The increase in the maximum borrowing capacity under the entity's private placement facilities. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | hsic_LineOfCreditFacitilityIncreaseBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix: | hsic_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of long-term debt and capital lease obligations including current maturities. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | hsic_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsIncludingCurrentMaturities
Namespace Prefix: | hsic_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The number of insurance companies that have provided the private placement facilities. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | hsic_NumberOfInsuranceCompaniesProvidingPrivatePlacementFacilities
Namespace Prefix: | hsic_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Term in years of private placement facility entered into on April 30, 2012 and expiring on April 26, 2015. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | hsic_PrivatePlacementFacilityIssuancePeriod
Namespace Prefix: | hsic_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of the total principal payments made during the annual reporting period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAnnualPrincipalPayment
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Date the debt agreement requires the first payment to be made, in CCYY-MM-DD format. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 470 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDateOfFirstRequiredPayment1
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The effective interest rate at the end of the reporting period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateAtPeriodEnd
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Maximum contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMaximum
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Minimum contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentageRateRangeMinimum
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Date the debt instrument was issued, in CCYY-MM-DD format. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentIssuanceDate1
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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

X
- Definition Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Face (par) amount of the original debt instrument that was repurchased. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of debt discount that was originally recognized at the issuance of the instrument that has yet to be amortized. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1A -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28541-108399 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 55 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility. + 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 210.5-02.19(b),22(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of long-term debt and capital lease obligation due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 6 -Section H + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of long-term debt and capital leases due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer. + 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 210.5-02.20) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Weighted average interest rate of long-term debt outstanding. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Write-off of amounts previously capitalized as debt issuance cost in an extinguishment of debt. + 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 210.5-03.8) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_WriteOffOfDeferredDebtIssuanceCost
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration