Accumulated adjustment attributable to nonredeemable 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).

No definition available.

Comprehensive Income - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and Comprehensive Income Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jul. 01, 2017	Apr. 01, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 24, 2016	Jun. 25, 2016	Mar. 26, 2016	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Attributable to Redeemable noncontrolling interests:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$ (5,564)				$ (13,025)				$ (5,564)	$ (13,025)	$ (10,373)
Attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	539				(113)				539	(113)	(76)
Attributable to Henry Schein, Inc.:
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	(112,439)				(296,212)				(112,439)	(296,212)	(200,499)
Unrealized gain (loss) from foreign currency hedging activities	(782)				(53)				(782)	(53)	939
Unrealized investment gain (loss)	(3)				0				(3)	0	(2)
Pension adjustment gain (loss)	(16,843)				(20,776)				(16,843)	(20,776)	(20,377)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(130,067)				(317,041)				(130,067)	(317,041)	(219,939)
Total Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(135,092)				(330,179)				(135,092)	(330,179)	(230,388)
Components of comprehensive income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 8,510	$ 150,948	$ 149,582	$ 150,253	$ 153,473	$ 145,291	$ 133,098	$ 124,533	459,293	556,395	523,427
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)									191,886	(98,402)	(134,035)
Tax effect									0	0	0
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)									191,886	(98,402)	(134,035)
Unrealized gain (loss) from foreign currency hedging activities									(1,515)	(1,025)	2,147
Tax effect									786	33	(153)
Unrealized gain (loss) from foreign currency hedging activities									(729)	(992)	1,994
Unrealized investment gain (loss)									(4)	2	134
Tax effect									1	0	0
Unrealized investment gain (loss)									(3)	2	134
Pension adjustment gain (loss)									4,247	(947)	3,278
Tax effect									(314)	548	(1,008)
Pension adjustment gain (loss)									3,933	(399)	2,270
Comprehensive income									$ 654,380	$ 456,604	$ 393,790