Press Release Details

MELVILLE, N.Y., May 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners, challenged this year's dental school graduates to advance their careers by boldly asking the question: "Why not?"

In commencement addresses at three leading U.S. dental schools – the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine on May 8, Temple University's Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry on May 15, and the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine on May 17 – Mr. Bergman explored a range of professional, educational and social responsibility issues by encouraging the graduates to let the question "Why not?" serve as a view on life and as a guide to their career.

"As a graduating dentist, asking yourself 'Why not?' is about taking full advantage of all that this wonderful profession has to offer," said Mr. Bergman.  "From here on, your dental career will be series of intriguing 'Why not?' opportunities." 

Mr. Bergman continued, "Why not choose a relatively traditional path and become a general dentist in a contemporary technology-driven practice?  Why not consider specialty training, which will be in great demand with the aging baby boomer population?  Why not join a dental support organization, a large group practice, or a corporately-owned multi-site practice that is based on delivering quality care?  Why not pursue a career in research or academia?  Or why not earn a degree in public health or an MBA, which would help you master the emerging health care structures in the wake of the Affordable Care Act?  Your choice of a career path will be based on your individual interests and goals."

In offering advice to graduating dental students, Mr. Bergman stressed the importance of being a leader in advancing oral health, wellness and prevention; in embracing inter-professionalism and the growing importance of oral health as an integral part of primary care; in adopting new oral health technology; and in promoting social responsibility by using their professional skills to give back to those in need.

"As you sit here today and think about all of the 'Why not?' opportunities and challenges, about all of the choices that you will need to make during your career, it may seem overwhelming, even impossible," said Mr. Bergman. 

"But remember what the late President Nelson Mandela said: 'It always seems impossible until it is done'," said Mr. Bergman. "It is not impossible if you take your life and career decisions one question at a time. By continuing to ask 'Why Not?', you can ensure that you will not ask yourself a much more difficult question at the end of your career – 'Why didn't I do that when I had the chance?'."

Henry Schein is committed to partnering with dental schools and dental graduates to advance their professional journeys. The University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine recently established a Henry Schein Cares Global Student Outreach Program, which will support the provision of oral health care to the underserved by the school's dental students in locations throughout the world. Within the next 12 months, The Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry plans to open the Henry Schein Digital Center of Excellence, where students, faculty and alumni will experience how digital technology enhances dental education, patient care and health outcomes. Henry Schein is a lead donor in the campaign to build a new state-of-the art Dental School at Case Western Reserve University, which will be integrated with the University's Medical and Nursing Schools and adjacent to the Cleveland Clinic.

About Henry Schein, Inc.

Henry Schein, Inc. is the world's largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental, animal health and medical practitioners. The Company also serves dental laboratories, government and institutional health care clinics, and other alternate care sites. A Fortune 500® Company and a member of the S&P 500® and NASDAQ 100® Indexes, Henry Schein employs more than 18,000 Team Schein Members and serves more than one million customers.

The Company offers a comprehensive selection of products and services, including value-added solutions for operating efficient practices and delivering high-quality care. Henry Schein operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, with a selection of more than 100,000 branded products and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 150,000 additional products available as special-order items. The Company also offers its customers exclusive, innovative technology solutions, including practice management software and e-commerce solutions, as well as a broad range of financial services.

Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein has operations or affiliates in 29 countries. The Company's sales reached a record $10.4 billion in 2014, and have grown at a compound annual rate of approximately 16 percent since Henry Schein became a public company in 1995. For more information, visit the Henry Schein website at www.henryschein.com

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SOURCE Henry Schein, Inc.

Susan Vassallo, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Susan.vassallo@henryschein.com, (631) 843-5562