Press Release Details

MELVILLE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 4, 2005--

National Children's Dental Access Day Kicks off with Reception

Also Recognizing Programs by Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

For the third straight year, Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the largest distributor of healthcare products and services in the combined North American and European markets, and the American Dental Association (ADA) are partnering to support the ADA's "Give Kids A Smile!" Day on February 4. The annual access initiative mobilizes dental practitioners and dental team members nationwide to provide voluntary educational, preventive and restorative services to children from low-income families as it raises awareness about the importance of children's oral health.

Sullivan-Schein, Henry Schein's U.S. Dental business, will once again serve as the exclusive distributor of professional products for Give Kids A Smile day, a role it has played since the program's inception, and one of the first partnerships the ADA has forged with a private company to provide voluntary dental services on a national level. With the support of a record 52 participating vendor partners, the Company has increased its support for the 2005 initiative by more than 400 percent--a result of the tremendous public, private and professional response from the 2004 program, which mobilized more than 38,000 dental team volunteers and resulted in the treatment of more than one million underserved children. This year, Sullivan-Schein will provide approximately 450 ADA-selected clinics with 1,100 product kits containing treatment, screening, and other products for treating underserved children.

"We are excited and honored to once again partner with the ADA on this important initiative that not only raises awareness about the importance of oral health, but also helps to bridge the healthcare access gap that separates the underserved in our country," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein.

"'Give Kids A Smile!' is a reflection of our commitment to corporate citizenship, and an effort to better the communities in which we live through sustainable public-private partnerships. We hope that this year, with the increased support from our vendor partners, a record number of children will have the chance to receive much-needed dental care," continued Mr. Bergman.

"'Give Kids A Smile!' has proven to be a very effective way to address the needs of millions of children from low-income families who suffer from untreated dental disease, decay and pain as we keep this important issue in the public eye," said ADA President Richard Haught, DDS.

"Since the start of the program three years ago, it has grown substantially - through the support of our members and our corporate partners - to treat more children each year. This is a perfect example of how committed partnerships between the public and private sectors can begin to overcome some of the barriers to oral healthcare facing children in our communities. And as our exclusive distribution partner, Henry Schein has been critical to the success of this program," added James B. Bramson, DDS, ADA executive director.

This year's "Give Kids A Smile!" Day events start with a breakfast reception at Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery, sponsored by Henry Schein and Procter & Gamble, honoring the initiative, as well as the school's "Community DentCare" program, and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's "NYC Seal Your Smile" initiative.

Henry Schein's participation in "Give Kids a Smile!" Day is part of Henry Schein Cares, the Company's global corporate citizenship program, which works to help narrow disparities in healthcare information, delivery and access to underserved communities in the United States and abroad, by providing resources to support the programs of community-based healthcare professionals and their organizations.

2005 "Give Kids a Smile!" Day Participating Vendors

The following companies are working with Henry Schein and the ADA to support "Give Kids a Smile!" Day in 2005:

3M ESPE
Ansell Healthcare
Axis Dental Corporation
Banta Healthcare Group
Biotrol International
Centrix, Inc.
Coltene/Whaledent Inc.
Crosstex International
DASH Medical Gloves, Inc.
Dental Disposables International
Dentsply Caulk
Dentsply Pharmaceutical
Dentsply Professional
Dukal Corporation
Dux Dental
Eastman Kodak Company
GC America, Inc.
Gingi-Pak
Heraeus-Kulzer, Inc.
Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., Inc.
Ivoclar Vivadent, Inc.
Johnson & Johnson Oral Health Products
Jovident International
Kimberly Clark Healthcare
Kuraray America, Inc.
Medicom
Microbrush Corporation
Microflex Corporation
Miltex, Inc.
Mydent
Nordent Manufacturing, Inc.
Office Depot
Oral-B Laboratories
Palmero Health Care
Premier Dental Products Company
Pro-Repair
Pulpdent Corporation
Raydenco, Inc.
Richmond Dental
SDSKerr
Sempermed USA, Inc.
Septodont, Inc.
Sherman Specialty Company Inc.
SS White Burs
Sultan Chemists, Inc.
Sultan Dental Products
Sunstar Butler
Surgical Specialties Corporation
SybronEndo
TotalCare
Waterpik Technologies, Inc.
Young Dental Manufacturing / Denticator
Zirc Company

About the American Dental Association

The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 152,000 members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance long has been a valuable and respected guide to consumer and professional products.

About Henry Schein, Inc.

Henry Schein, a Fortune 500(R) company, is recognized for its excellent customer service and highly competitive prices. The Company's four business groups - Dental, Medical, International and Technology - serve more than 450,000 customers worldwide, including dental practices and laboratories, physician practices and veterinary clinics, as well as government and other institutions. The Company's sales reached a record $3.4 billion in 2003. The Company operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, which provides customers in more than 125 countries with a comprehensive selection of over 90,000 national and Henry Schein private-brand products.

Henry Schein also offers a wide range of innovative value-added practice solutions, including such leading practice management software systems as DENTRIX(R) and Easy Dental(R) for dental practices, and AVImark(R) for veterinary clinics, which are installed in over 50,000 practices; and ArubA(R), Henry Schein's electronic catalog and ordering system.

Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein employs nearly 10,000 people and has operations in 17 countries. For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at www.henryschein.com.

CONTACT: Henry Schein, Inc.
Susan Vassallo, 631-843-5562
susan.vassallo@henryschein.com

SOURCE: Henry Schein, Inc.