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Private placement corrowing facilities

		December 29,		December 30,
		2018		2017
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates		$	283,091	$	268,364
Non-current deferred foreign, state and local income taxes			83,242		10,962
Notes receivable (1)			66,652		35,015
Capitalized costs for internally generated software for resale			40,070		35,359
Distribution rights and exclusivity agreements, net of amortization			582		1,378
Acquisition related indemnification			47,828		65,558
Other long-term assets			16,905		15,366
	Total	$	538,370	$	432,002


(1)	Long-term notes receivable carry interest rates ranging from 1.0% to 12.0% and are due in varying installments through
	December 31, 2030.

Debt (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2018

Debt [Abstract]


	Amount of
Date of	Borrowing		Borrowing
Borrowing	Outstanding		Rate		Due Date
September 2, 2010	$	100,000	3.79	%	September 2, 2020
January 20, 2012		50,000	3.45		January 20, 2024
January 20, 2012 (1)		28,571	3.09		January 20, 2022
December 24, 2012		50,000	3.00		December 24, 2024
June 2, 2014		100,000	3.19		June 2, 2021
June 16, 2017		100,000	3.42		June 16, 2027
September 15, 2017		100,000	3.52		September 15, 2029
January 2, 2018		100,000	3.32		January 2, 2028
Less: Deferred debt issuance costs		(382)
	$	628,189


(1) Annual repayments of approximately $7.1 million for this borrowing commenced on January 20, 2016.

Schedule of long-term debt

		December 29,		December 30,
		2018		2017
Private placement facilities		$	628,189	$	535,295
U.S. trade accounts receivable securitization			350,000		350,000
Various collateralized and uncollateralized loans payable with interest,
	in varying installments through 2023 at interest rates
	ranging from 2.61% to 5.01% at December 29, 2018 and
	ranging from 2.56% to 12.90% at December 30, 2017		29,491		34,027
Capital lease obligations (see Note 18)			5,148		5,093
Total			1,012,828		924,415
Less current maturities			(8,955)		(16,659)
	Total long-term debt	$	1,003,873	$	907,756

Schedule of long-term debt maturities

2019		$	8,955
2020			458,445
2021			108,050
2022			30,421
2023			3,671
Thereafter			403,286
	Total	$	1,012,828

- Definition

Tabular disclosure of long-debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation. These are debt arrangements that originally required repayment more than twelve months after issuance or greater than the normal operating cycle of the entity, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
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Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
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-Section 45
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775744&loc=d3e28541-108399

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
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Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(e),(f))
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Reference 7: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Reference 8: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Topic 942
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75038535&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 9: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775985&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 10: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109259400&loc=d3e21475-112644

+ Details

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2018

Temporary Equity Disclosure [Abstract]

Change in fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interests

		December 29,		December 30,		December 31,
		2018		2017		2016
Balance, beginning of period		$	832,138	$	607,636	$	542,194
Decrease in redeemable noncontrolling interests due to
	redemptions		(669,947)		(48,669)		(72,729)
Increase in redeemable noncontrolling interests due to
	business acquisitions		10,294		78,939		58,172
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests			21,848		52,203		48,760
Dividends declared			(18,065)		(28,161)		(32,973)
Effect of foreign currency translation gain (loss) attributable to
	redeemable noncontrolling interests		(13,031)		7,461		(2,652)
Change in fair value of redeemable securities			148,919		162,729		66,864
Balance, end of period		$	312,156	$	832,138	$	607,636

Comprehensive Income (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2018

Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes

			December 29,		December 30,		December 31,
			2018		2017		2016
Attributable to Redeemable noncontrolling interests:
		Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	(18,595)	$	(5,564)	$	(13,025)

Attributable to noncontrolling interests:
		Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	(426)	$	539	$	(113)

Attributable to Henry Schein, Inc.:
	Foreign currency translation loss		$	(234,799)	$	(112,439)	$	(296,212)
	Unrealized loss from foreign currency hedging activities			(156)		(782)		(53)
	Unrealized investment loss			(6)		(3)		-
	Pension adjustment loss			(13,810)		(16,843)		(20,776)
		Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(248,771)	$	(130,067)	$	(317,041)

Total Accumulated other comprehensive loss			$	(267,792)	$	(135,092)	$	(330,179)

Components of comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes

	December 29,		December 30,		December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
Net income	$	562,126	$	459,293	$	556,395

Foreign currency translation gain (loss)		(136,356)		191,886		(98,402)
Tax effect		-		-		-
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)		(136,356)		191,886		(98,402)

Unrealized gain (loss) from foreign currency hedging activities		1,022		(1,515)		(1,025)
Tax effect		(396)		786		33
Unrealized gain (loss) from foreign currency hedging activities		626		(729)		(992)

Unrealized investment gain (loss)		(3)		(4)		2
Tax effect		-		1		-
Unrealized investment gain (loss)		(3)		(3)		2

Pension adjustment gain (loss)		4,212		4,247		(947)
Tax effect		(1,179)		(314)		548
Pension adjustment gain (loss)		3,033		3,933		(399)

Comprehensive income	$	429,426	$	654,380	$	456,604

Components of foreign currency translation gain (loss) by foreign currency

		Foreign Currency
		Translation
		Gain (Loss)
		for the
		Year Ended		FX Rate in USD
		December 29,		December 29,	December 30,
Currency		2018		2018	2017
Euro		$	(40,681)	1.14	1.20
Brazilian Real			(27,313)	0.26	0.30
Australian Dollar			(25,639)	0.70	0.78
British Pound			(21,329)	1.26	1.35
Canadian Dollar			(9,111)	0.73	0.80
Polish Zloty			(5,025)	0.27	0.29
Swiss Franc			(2,442)	1.01	1.03
All other currencies			(4,816)
	Total	$	(136,356)

		Foreign Currency
		Translation
		Gain (Loss)
		for the
		Year Ended		FX Rate in USD
		December 30,		December 30,	December 31,
Currency		2017		2017	2016
Euro		$	113,259	1.20	1.05
Brazilian Real			(2,411)	0.30	0.31
Australian Dollar			15,124	0.78	0.72
British Pound			28,001	1.35	1.23
Canadian Dollar			9,403	0.80	0.74
Polish Zloty			11,058	0.29	0.24
Swiss Franc			5,544	1.03	0.98
All other currencies			11,908
	Total	$	191,886

		Foreign Currency
		Translation
		Gain (Loss)
		for the
		Year Ended		FX Rate in USD
		December 31,		December 31,	December 26,
Currency		2016		2016	2015
Euro		$	(41,245)	1.05	1.10
Brazilian Real			2,856	0.31	0.25
Australian Dollar			(562)	0.72	0.73
British Pound			(53,723)	1.23	1.49
Canadian Dollar			3,345	0.74	0.72
Polish Zloty			(3,849)	0.24	0.26
Swiss Franc			(2,365)	0.98	1.01
All other currencies			(2,859)
	Total	$	(98,402)

Total comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes

		December 29,		December 30,		December 31,
		2018		2017		2016
Comprehensive income attributable to
	Henry Schein, Inc.	$	417,177	$	593,273	$	409,676
Comprehensive income attributable to
	noncontrolling interests		3,432		1,443		820
Comprehensive income attributable to
	Redeemable noncontrolling interests		8,817		59,664		46,108
Comprehensive income		$	429,426	$	654,380	$	456,604

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2018

Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]

Fair value - assets and liabilities measured and recognized on a recurring basis

			December 29, 2018
				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total

Assets:
	Derivative contracts		$	-	$	12,533	$	-	$	12,533
		Total assets	$	-	$	12,533	$	-	$	12,533

Liabilities:
	Derivative contracts		$	-	$	1,708	$	-	$	1,708
		Total liabilities	$	-	$	1,708	$	-	$	1,708

Redeemable noncontrolling interests			$	-	$	-	$	312,156	$	312,156

			December 30, 2017
				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total

Assets:
	Derivative contracts		$	-	$	11,799	$	-	$	11,799
		Total assets	$	-	$	11,799	$	-	$	11,799

Liabilities:
	Derivative contracts		$	-	$	2,089	$	-	$	2,089
		Total liabilities	$	-	$	2,089	$	-	$	2,089

Redeemable noncontrolling interests			$	-	$	-	$	832,138	$	832,138

Plans of Restructuring (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2018

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Schedule of restructuring reserve by type of cost


			Facility
	Severance		Closing
	Costs		Costs		Other		Total
Balance, December 26, 2015	$	9,103	$	2,151	$	811	$	12,065
Provision		40,728		3,587		1,576		45,891
Payments and other adjustments		(27,477)		(3,284)		(1,492)		(32,253)
Balance, December 31, 2016	$	22,354	$	2,454	$	895	$	25,703
Provision		-		-		-		-
Payments and other adjustments		(19,136)		(1,139)		(871)		(21,146)
Balance, December 30, 2017	$	3,218	$	1,315	$	24	$	4,557
Provision		58,154		3,607		1,151		62,912
Payments and other adjustments		(30,649)		(3,167)		(1,017)		(34,833)
Balance, December 29, 2018	$	30,723	$	1,755	$	158	$	32,636

Schedule of restructuring reserve by segment

			Technology and
	Health Care		Value-Added
	Distribution		Services		Total
Balance, December 26, 2015	$	12,062	$	3	$	12,065
Provision		44,082		1,809		45,891
Payments and other adjustments		(30,906)		(1,347)		(32,253)
Balance, December 31, 2016	$	25,238	$	465	$	25,703
Provision		-		-		-
Payments and other adjustments		(20,681)		(465)		(21,146)
Balance, December 30, 2017	$	4,557	$	-	$	4,557
Provision		59,126		3,786		62,912
Payments and other adjustments		(32,483)		(2,350)		(34,833)
Balance, December 29, 2018	$	31,200	$	1,436	$	32,636

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Reconciliation of basic and diluted shares used to calculate earnings per share

		Years Ended
		December 29,	December 30,	December 31,
		2018	2017	2016
Basic		152,656	156,787	161,641
Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units	1,051	1,421	2,082
	Diluted	153,707	158,208	163,723

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2018

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income before taxes, equity in earnings of affiliates and loss on sale of equity investment

		Years ended
		December 29,		December 30,		December 31,
		2018		2017		2016
Domestic		$	505,877	$	649,657	$	625,792
Foreign			189,471		173,191		130,043
	Total	$	695,348	$	822,848	$	755,835

Provision for income taxes attributable to continuing operations

				Years ended
				December 29,		December 30,		December 31,
				2018		2017		2016
Current income tax expense:
	U.S. Federal			$	93,209	$	283,417	$	185,438
	State and local				35,197		28,520		28,229
	Foreign				68,299		50,084		41,357
		Total current			196,705		362,021		255,024

Deferred income tax expense (benefit):
	U.S. Federal				(9,331)		13,686		(18,090)
	State and local				(4,625)		856		(4,809)
	Foreign				(27,257)		(14,057)		(14,167)
		Total deferred			(41,213)		485		(37,066)
			Total provision	$	155,492	$	362,506	$	217,958

Tax effects of temporary differences to deferred income tax asset (liability)

			Years Ended
			December 29,		December 30,
			2018		2017

Deferred income tax asset:
	Investment in partnerships		$	76,232	$	22,600
	Net operating losses and other carryforwards			44,630		48,711
	Inventory, premium coupon redemptions and accounts receivable
		valuation allowances		25,270		23,715
	Stock-based compensation			18,473		22,525
	Uniform capitalization adjustment to inventories			8,189		6,591
	Other asset			38,514		13,669
	Total deferred income tax asset			211,308		137,811
	Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets (1)			(23,535)		(31,223)
	Net deferred income tax asset			187,773		106,588
Deferred income tax liability
	Intangibles amortization			(122,805)		(132,280)
	Property and equipment			(13,296)		(13,777)
	Total deferred tax liability			(136,101)		(146,057)
Net deferred income tax asset (liability) (2)			$	51,672	$	(39,469)


(1)	Primarily relates to operating losses of acquired subsidiaries, the benefits of which are uncertain. Any future reductions
	of such valuation allowances will be reflected as a reduction of income tax expense in accordance with the provisions of
	ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations.”

(2)	Certain deferred tax amounts do not have a right of offset and are therefore reflected on a gross basis in
	non-current assets and liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.

Reconciliation of income tax provision at federal statutory rate to total income tax provision

		Years ended
		December 29,		December 30,		December 31,
		2018		2017		2016
Income tax provision at federal statutory rate		$	146,023	$	287,996	$	264,542
State income tax provision, net of federal income tax effect			16,271		12,457		11,236
Foreign income tax provision			(420)		(24,433)		(18,036)
Pass through noncontrolling interest			(4,595)		(11,623)		(13,083)
Valuation allowance			2,037		1,008		1,472
Unrecognized tax benefits and audit settlements			4,166		3,899		3,066
Interest expense related to loans			(11,925)		(18,717)		(21,737)
Excess tax benefits related to stock compensation			(837)		(17,387)		-
Transition tax on deemed repatriation of foreign earnings			(10,000)		140,000		-
Revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities			(1,676)		2,953		-
Tax on global intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI")			7,455		-		-
Transaction costs related to Animal Health spin-off			7,325		-		-
Tax benefit related to legal entity reorganization outside the U.S.			(13,852)		-		-
Tax charge related to reorganization of legal entities related
to forming Henry Schein One			3,914		-		-
Tax charge related to reorganization of legal entities completed
in preparation for the Animal Health spin-off			3,135		-		-
Other			8,471		(13,647)		(9,502)
	Total income tax provision	$	155,492	$	362,506	$	217,958

Reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits excluding the effect of deferred taxes

	December 29,		December 30,		December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
Balance, beginning of period	$	90,900	$	90,400	$	77,600
Additions based on current year tax positions		5,000		8,500		7,300
Additions based on prior year tax positions		11,600		6,100		20,400
Reductions based on prior year tax positions		(1,700)		(800)		(900)
Reductions resulting from settlements with taxing authorities		(1,900)		(10,500)		(9,700)
Reductions resulting from lapse in statutes of limitations		(20,400)		(2,800)		(4,300)
Balance, end of period	$	83,500	$	90,900	$	90,400

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2018

Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Abstract]

Disaggregation of Revenue

				Year Ended
				December 29, 2018
				North America		International		Global
Net sales:
	Health care distribution
		Dental		$	3,867,118	$	2,481,827	$	6,348,945
		Animal health			1,865,316		1,817,323		3,682,639
		Medical			2,581,696		79,470		2,661,166
			Total health care distribution		8,314,130		4,378,620		12,692,750
	Technology and value-added services				426,653		82,592		509,245
		Total		$	8,740,783	$	4,461,212	$	13,201,995

Segment and Geographic Data (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2018

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Business segment information

				Years Ended
				December 29,		December 30,		December 31,
				2018		2017		2016
Net Sales:
	Health care distribution (1):
		Dental		$	6,348,945	$	6,048,813	$	5,555,299
		Animal health			3,682,639		3,476,635		3,253,095
		Medical			2,661,166		2,497,994		2,337,661
			Total health care distribution		12,692,750		12,023,442		11,146,055
	Technology and value-added services (2)				509,245		438,101		425,613
		Total		$	13,201,995	$	12,461,543	$	11,571,668


(1)	Consists of consumable products, small equipment, laboratory products, large equipment, equipment repair services, branded and
	generic pharmaceuticals, vaccines, surgical products, diagnostic tests, infection-control products and vitamins.

(2)	Consists of practice management software and other value-added products, which are distributed primarily to health care providers,
	and financial services on a non-recourse basis, e-services, continuing education services for practitioners, consulting and
	other services.

			Years ended
			December 29,		December 30,		December 31,
			2018		2017		2016
Operating Income:
	Health care distribution		$	618,788	$	728,520	$	652,106
	Technology and value-added services			134,264		130,849		119,468
		Total	$	753,052	$	859,369	$	771,574

Income before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates:
	Health care distribution		$	563,006	$	696,453	$	640,184
	Technology and value-added services			132,342		126,395		115,651
		Total	$	695,348	$	822,848	$	755,835

Depreciation and Amortization:
	Health care distribution		$	179,760	$	168,186	$	146,276
	Technology and value-added services			27,800		24,886		23,504
		Total	$	207,560	$	193,072	$	169,780

Income Tax Expense:
	Health care distribution		$	101,179	$	325,302	$	185,571
	Technology and value-added services			54,313		37,204		32,387
		Total	$	155,492	$	362,506	$	217,958

Interest Income:
	Health care distribution		$	20,849	$	17,318	$	13,086
	Technology and value-added services			387		235		189
		Total	$	21,236	$	17,553	$	13,275

Interest Expense:
	Health care distribution		$	78,769	$	53,607	$	31,845
	Technology and value-added services			17		47		48
		Total	$	78,786	$	53,654	$	31,893

Purchases of Fixed Assets:
	Health care distribution		$	87,131	$	76,449	$	66,611
	Technology and value-added services			3,506		5,052		3,568
		Total	$	90,637	$	81,501	$	70,179
			As of
			December 29,		December 30,		December 31,
			2018		2017		2016
Total Assets:
	Health care distribution		$	7,375,723	$	7,399,718	$	6,377,253
	Technology and value-added services			1,124,804		464,277		434,510
		Total	$	8,500,527	$	7,863,995	$	6,811,763

Operations by geographic area

		2018				2017				2016
		Net Sales		Long-Lived Assets		Net Sales		Long-Lived Assets		Net Sales		Long-Lived Assets
United States		$	8,348,398	$	2,522,477	$	7,904,698	$	2,000,624	$	7,536,897	$	1,803,689
Other			4,853,597		1,264,459		4,556,845		1,345,349		4,034,771		1,171,137
	Consolidated total	$	13,201,995	$	3,786,936	$	12,461,543	$	3,345,973	$	11,571,668	$	2,974,826

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2018

Summary of the stock option activity under the plans

	Years Ended
	December 29,			December 30,			December 31,
	2018			2017			2016

		Weighted			Weighted			Weighted
		Average			Average			Average
		Exercise			Exercise			Exercise
	Shares	Price		Shares	Price		Shares	Price
Outstanding at beginning of year	155	$	29.65	353	$	28.59	769	$	28.00
Granted	-		-	-		-	-		-
Exercised	(153)		29.81	(198)		27.76	(416)		27.49
Forfeited	-		-	-		-	-		-
Outstanding at end of year	2	$	17.22	155	$	29.65	353	$	28.59

Options exercisable at end of year	2	$	17.22	155	$	29.65	353	$	28.59

Intrinsic values

	As of
	December 29,		December 30,		December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
Stock options outstanding	$	121	$	6,256	$	16,681
Stock options exercisable		121		6,256		16,681

Status of non-vested restricted shares/units


	Time-Based Restricted Stock/Units
		Weighted Average
		Grant Date Fair		Intrinsic Value
	Shares/Units	Value Per Share		Per Share
Outstanding at beginning of period	1,233	$	70.28
Granted	367		66.00
Vested	(312)		62.98
Forfeited	(88)		77.67
Outstanding at end of period	1,200	$	70.33	$	77.92
	Performance-Based Restricted Stock/Units
		Weighted Average
		Grant Date Fair		Intrinsic Value
	Shares/Units	Value Per Share		Per Share
Outstanding at beginning of period	1,226	$	60.81
Granted	200		72.16
Vested	(426)		71.33
Forfeited	(80)		77.27
Outstanding at end of period	920	$	50.86	$	77.92

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2018

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Operating leases

2019		$	78,940
2020			61,605
2021			44,574
2022			31,501
2023			23,365
Thereafter			68,373
	Total minimum operating lease payments	$	308,358

Capital leases

2019		$	1,695
2020			1,134
2021			710
2022			313
2023			291
Thereafter			1,430
Total minimum capital lease payments			5,573
	Less: Amount representing interest at 0.07% to 19.79%		(425)
	Total present value of minimum capital lease payments	$	5,148

Purchase commitments

2019		$	499,346
2020			215,445
2021			230,967
2022			124,465
2023			446
Thereafter			-
	Total minimum inventory purchase commitment payments	$	1,070,669

Quarterly Information (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2018

Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]

Quarterly financial information (unaudited)

		Quarters ended
		March 31,		June 30,		September 29,		December 29,
		2018 (1)		2018 (1)		2018 (1)		2018 (1)
Net sales		$	3,220,439	$	3,326,676	$	3,279,678	$	3,375,202
Gross profit			895,592		901,072		888,560		909,860
Litigation settlements			-		-		38,488		-
Transaction costs related to Animal Health spin-off			3,777		7,611		7,282		20,086
Restructuring costs			3,762		14,896		8,853		35,401
Operating income			206,142		201,349		165,926		179,635
Net income			148,631		147,509		126,976		139,010

Amounts attributable to
	Henry Schein, Inc.:
Net income			140,218		141,212		121,478		132,973

Earnings per share attributable to
	Henry Schein, Inc.:

	Basic	$	0.92	$	0.92	$	0.80	$	0.88
	Diluted		0.91		0.92		0.79		0.87
		Quarters ended
		April 1,		July 1,		September 30,		December 30,
		2017 (2)		2017 (2)		2017 (2)		2017 (2)
Net sales		$	2,922,948	$	3,059,458	$	3,161,083	$	3,318,054
Gross profit			822,920		839,173		836,054		900,956
Litigation settlement			-		5,325		-		-
Operating income			193,968		210,662		213,548		241,191
Net income			150,253		149,582		150,948		8,510

Amounts attributable to
	Henry Schein, Inc.:
Net income (loss)			140,748		136,055		138,031		(8,535)

Earnings (loss) per share attributable to
	Henry Schein, Inc.:

	Basic	$	0.89	$	0.86	$	0.88	$	(0.06)
	Diluted		0.88		0.86		0.87		(0.06)

(1)	See Note 10 - "Plans of Restructuring" for details of the restructuring costs incurred during the fiscal year of 2018.

(2)	See Item 5 - "Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer" for details of the 2-for-1 split of our common stock, during the third quarter of 2017.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2018

Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]

Cash paid for interest and income taxes

	Years ended
	December 29,		December 30,		December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
Interest	$	72,310	$	49,311	$	29,391
Income taxes		248,245		221,832		205,196

Significant Accounting Policies (Details)		12 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	Aug. 16, 2017	Dec. 29, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Fiscal year duration		365 days	365 days	372 days
Outstanding checks in excess of funds on deposit classified as accounts payable		$ 72,000,000	$ 83,600,000
Selling, general and administrative		9,606,911,000	9,062,440,000	$ 8,345,195,000
Advertising and promotional costs		$ 28,900,000	$ 15,700,000	$ 18,400,000
Percentage ownership of subsidiaries included in consolidated tax return		80.00%	80.00%	80.00%
Goodwill impairment loss		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Total distribution network costs		87,300,000	83,200,000	79,400,000
Income taxes		(155,492,000)	(362,506,000)	$ (217,958,000)
Contract with Customer, Liability, Current		83,600,000	85,700,000
Contract with Customer, Liability, Noncurrent		5,300,000	5,200,000
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Assets, Pledged		422,000,000	422,000,000
Variable Interest Entity, Consolidated, Liabilities, Recourse		$ 350,000,000	350,000,000
Common Stock [Member]
Stock split, conversion ratio	2
Stock split, description		On August 16, 2017, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a two-for-one stock split of our common stock. Each Henry Schein, Inc. stockholder of record at the close of business on September 1, 2017 received a distribution of one additional share for every share held. Trading began on a split-adjusted basis on September 15, 2017.
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 [Member]
Income taxes			$ 19,600,000
Minimum [Member]
Fiscal year duration		365 days
Maximum [Member]
Fiscal year duration		372 days

Overview and Significant Accounting Policies - Topic 606, the disclosure of the impact of adoption on our consolidated balance sheet and income statement (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2018

Sep. 29, 2018

Jun. 30, 2018

Mar. 31, 2018

Dec. 30, 2017

Sep. 30, 2017

Jul. 01, 2017

Apr. 01, 2017

Dec. 29, 2018

Dec. 30, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2017

Assets

$ 520,558

$ 454,752

$ 520,558

$ 454,752

$ 454,261

538,370

432,002

538,370

432,002

433,135

172,165

188,873

172,165

188,873

189,310

579,276

455,780

579,276

455,780

453,166

31,570

50,431

31,570

50,431

50,902

392,313

420,285

392,313

420,285

420,039

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

3,208,589

2,940,029

3,208,589

2,940,029

2,942,623

(248,771)

(130,067)

(248,771)

(130,067)

$ (317,041)

3,375,202

$ 3,279,678

$ 3,326,676

$ 3,220,439

3,318,054

$ 3,161,083

$ 3,059,458

$ 2,922,948

13,201,995

12,461,543

11,571,668

Selling, general and administrative

Cost of sales

9,606,911

9,062,440

8,345,195

2,701,876

2,534,409

2,409,008

(155,492)

(362,506)

(217,958)

Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]

139,010

$ 126,976

$ 147,509

$ 148,631

$ 8,510

$ 150,948

$ 149,582

$ 150,253

562,126

459,293

556,395

Assets

119

1,133

437

(2,614)

471

(246)

Healthcare Distribution [Member]

$ 3,204

^[1]

12,692,750

12,023,442

11,146,055

Healthcare Distribution [Member] | Dental [Member]

(101,179)

(325,302)

(185,571)

Healthcare Distribution [Member] | Animal Health [Member]

6,348,945

6,048,813

5,555,299

Healthcare Distribution [Member] | Medical [Member]

3,682,639

3,476,635

3,253,095

Technology and Value-Added Services [Member]

2,661,166

2,497,994

2,337,661

^[2]

509,245

438,101

425,613

Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606 [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]

(54,313)

$ (37,204)

$ (32,387)

Assets

520,778

535,879

171,809

581,138

30,979

393,024

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

3,204,548

(248,627)

13,201,689

Selling, general and administrative

Cost of sales

9,606,911

2,702,552

(155,347)

Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606 [Member] | Healthcare Distribution [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]

561,289

Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606 [Member] | Healthcare Distribution [Member] | Dental [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]

12,692,750

Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606 [Member] | Healthcare Distribution [Member] | Animal Health [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]

6,348,945

Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606 [Member] | Healthcare Distribution [Member] | Medical [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]

3,682,639

Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606 [Member] | Technology and Value-Added Services [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]

2,661,166

Effect of Change Increase/(Decrease) [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]

508,939

Assets

(220)

2,491

356

(1,862)

591

(711)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

4,041

$ (144)

(144)

306

Selling, general and administrative

Cost of sales

(676)

145

Effect of Change Increase/(Decrease) [Member] | Healthcare Distribution [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]

837

Effect of Change Increase/(Decrease) [Member] | Healthcare Distribution [Member] | Dental [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]

Effect of Change Increase/(Decrease) [Member] | Healthcare Distribution [Member] | Animal Health [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]

Effect of Change Increase/(Decrease) [Member] | Healthcare Distribution [Member] | Medical [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]

Effect of Change Increase/(Decrease) [Member] | Technology and Value-Added Services [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]

Investments in unconsolidated affiliates

$ 306

[1]	Consists of consumable products, small equipment, laboratory products, large equipment, equipment repair services, branded and generic pharmaceuticals, vaccines, surgical products, diagnostic tests, infection-control products and vitamins.
[2]	Consists of practice management software and other value-added products, which are distributed primarily to health care providers, and financial services on a non-recourse basis, e-services, continuing education services for practitioners, consulting and other services.

Significant Accounting Policies - The cumulative effect of the changes made to our consolidated balance sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 30, 2017
Assets
Prepaid expenses and other	$ 520,558	$ 454,261	$ 454,752
Investments and other	538,370	433,135	432,002
Liabilities
Accrued Expenses - Taxes	172,165	189,310	188,873
Accrued Expenses - Other	579,276	453,166	455,780
Deferred income taxes	31,570	50,902	50,431
Other Liabilities (long-term)	392,313	420,039	420,285
Stockholders' equity
Retained earnings	$ 3,208,589	2,942,623	$ 2,940,029
Adjustments Due To Topic 606 [Member]
Assets
Prepaid expenses and other		119
Investments and other		1,133
Liabilities
Accrued Expenses - Taxes		437
Accrued Expenses - Other		(2,614)
Deferred income taxes		471
Other Liabilities (long-term)		(246)
Stockholders' equity
Retained earnings		3,204
Adjustments Due To Topic 740 [Member]
Assets
Prepaid expenses and other		(610)
Investments and other		0
Liabilities
Accrued Expenses - Taxes		0
Accrued Expenses - Other		0
Deferred income taxes		0
Other Liabilities (long-term)		0
Stockholders' equity
Retained earnings		$ (610)

Property and Equipment, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 1,046,711	$ 990,498
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(664,313)	(615,497)
Property and equipment, net	382,398	375,001
Property and equipment related depreciation expense	73,500	67,300	$ 63,800
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	20,400	21,019
Buildings and permanent improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 144,407	143,250
Property and equipment, average useful life (in years)	40 years
Leasehold improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 115,993	106,236
Machinery and warehouse equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 150,672	138,478
Machinery and warehouse equipment [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, average useful life (in years)	5 years
Machinery and warehouse equipment [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, average useful life (in years)	10 years
Furniture, fixtures and other [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 151,999	149,136
Furniture, fixtures and other [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, average useful life (in years)	3 years
Furniture, fixtures and other [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, average useful life (in years)	10 years
Computer equipment and software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 463,240	$ 432,379
Computer equipment and software [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, average useful life (in years)	3 years
Computer equipment and software [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, average useful life (in years)	10 years

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net - Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 2,301,331	$ 2,019,740
Adjustments to goodwill: Acquisitions	570,449	224,880
Adjustments to goodwill: Foreign currency translation	(51,485)	56,711
Ending balance	2,820,295	2,301,331
Health Care Distribution [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	2,096,594	1,831,535
Adjustments to goodwill: Acquisitions	40,437	216,144
Adjustments to goodwill: Foreign currency translation	(46,590)	48,915
Ending balance	2,090,441	2,096,594
Technology and Value-Added Services [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	204,737	188,205
Adjustments to goodwill: Acquisitions	530,012	8,736
Adjustments to goodwill: Foreign currency translation	(4,895)	7,796
Ending balance	$ 729,854	$ 204,737

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net - Other Intangibles (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Other intangible assets cost	$ 1,143,507	$ 1,181,555
Other intangible assets net	584,244	669,641
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Accumulated amortization	(559,263)	(511,914)
Non-compete agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Cost	38,384	41,758
Accumulated amortization	(9,224)	(9,539)
Net	$ 29,160	32,219
Non-compete agreements [Member] \| Weighted average [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Average useful life (in years)	5 years 2 months 12 days
Trademarks and tradenames [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Cost	$ 113,286	151,918
Accumulated amortization	(59,038)	(76,497)
Net	$ 54,248	75,421
Trademarks and tradenames [Member] \| Weighted average [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Average useful life (in years)	8 years 2 months 12 days
Customer relationships and lists [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Cost	$ 847,561	851,339
Accumulated amortization	(409,301)	(355,327)
Net	$ 438,260	496,012
Customer relationships and lists [Member] \| Weighted average [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Average useful life (in years)	10 years 9 months 18 days
Product development [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Cost	$ 79,363	77,958
Accumulated amortization	(37,373)	(37,105)
Net	$ 41,990	40,853
Product development [Member] \| Weighted average [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Average useful life (in years)	10 years 1 month 6 days
Other intangibles assets [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Cost	$ 64,913	58,582
Accumulated amortization	(44,327)	(33,446)
Net	$ 20,586	$ 25,136

Goodwill and Other Intangibles, Net - Amortization (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets	$ 123.3	$ 116.5	$ 98.2
Annual amortization expense expected for 2019	115.7
Annual amortization expense expected for 2020	106.5
Annual amortization expense expected for 2021	93.7
Annual amortization expense expected for 2022	69.2
Annual amortization expense expected for 2023	$ 59.6

Investments and Other (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2018

Dec. 30, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

Dec. 31, 2017

Investments And Other [Abstract]

$ 283,091

$ 268,364

Non-current deferred foreign, state and local income taxes

83,242

10,962

Notes receivable

^[1]

66,652

35,015

Capitalized costs for internally generated software for resale

40,070

35,359

Distribution rights and exclusivity agreements, net of amortization

582

1,378

Acquisition related indemnification

47,828

65,558

Other long-term assets

16,905

15,366

Total

538,370

432,002

$ 433,135

Amortization of other long-term assets

$ 10,700

$ 9,300

$ 7,800

[1]	Long-term notes receivable carry interest rates ranging from 1.0% to 12.0% and are due in varying installments through December 31, 2030.

Investments and Other - Long-term notes receivable (Details) - Financing Receivable [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Latest maturity date of varying installments of long-term notes receivable	Dec. 31, 2030
Minimum [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Long-term notes receivable interest rate (as a percent)	1.00%
Maximum [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Long-term notes receivable interest rate (as a percent)	12.00%

Debt - Bank Credit Lines (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	4 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Debt - Bank Credit Lines (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Apr. 18, 2017	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate on borrowings under credit lines at period end (as a percent)		3.30%	2.27%
Revolving credit facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility expiration date		Sep. 22, 2019
Revolving credit facility maturing in April 2022 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility borrowing capacity		$ 750.0
Revolving credit facility expiration date		Apr. 01, 2022
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding		$ 175.0	$ 320.0
Outstanding letters of credit provided to third parties		11.2	11.3
Swing-line commitments [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility borrowing capacity		75.0
Revolving Credit Facility maturing in September 2019 [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Extinguishment Of Line of Credit	$ 500.0
Revolving credit facility expiration date	Sep. 01, 2019
Various other short-term bank credit lines [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding		$ 376.5	$ 421.7

Debt - Committed Loan Associated with Animal Health Spin-off (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 07, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018	Apr. 20, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Bank credit lines		$ 951,458		$ 741,653
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End		3.30%		2.27%
Committed Loan Associated with Animal Health Spin-off [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		$ 400,000
Bank credit lines		$ 400,000
Equity Method Investment Aggregate Cost			$ 365,000
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End		3.38%
Committed Loan Associated with Animal Health Spin-off [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Repayments of Lines of Credit	$ 400,000

Debt - Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total Long-term debt	$ 1,012,828	$ 924,415
Less current maturities	(8,955)	(16,659)
Long-term debt, net	1,003,873	907,756
Private Placement Facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total Long-term debt	628,189	535,295
U.S. trade accounts receivable securitization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total Long-term debt	350,000	350,000
Various collateralized and uncollateralized long-term loans payable with interest, in varying installments [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total Long-term debt	$ 29,491	$ 34,027
Various collateralized and uncollateralized long-term loans payable with interest, in varying installments [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	2.61%	2.56%
Various collateralized and uncollateralized long-term loans payable with interest, in varying installments [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	5.01%	12.90%
Capital lease obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total Long-term debt	$ 5,148	$ 5,093
Capital lease obligations [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	0.07%
Capital lease obligations [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	19.79%

Debt - Private Placement Facilities (Details) - Private placement facilities [Member] $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 1
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Sep. 15, 2020
Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term of issuances under private placement facilities	5 years
Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term of issuances under private placement facilities	15 years
Average term of issuances under private placement facilities	12 years

Debt - Private Placement Facility Borrowings (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

12 Months Ended

Jan. 20, 2016

Dec. 29, 2018

Dec. 30, 2017

Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Including Current Maturities

$ 1,012,828

$ 924,415

Private placement facilities [Member]

Less: Deferred debt issuance costs

(382)

Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Including Current Maturities

$ 628,189

$ 535,295

Private placement facilities [Member] | Private placement facilities maturing in September 2020 [Member]

Sep. 15, 2020

Sep. 02, 2010

$ 100,000

3.79%

Private placement facilities [Member] | Private placement facilities maturing in January 2024 [Member]

Sep. 02, 2020

Jan. 20, 2012

$ 50,000

3.45%

Private placement facilities [Member] | Private placement facilities maturing in January 2022 [Member]

Jan. 20, 2024

^[1]

Jan. 20, 2012

^[1]

$ 28,571

^[1]

3.09%

Private placement facility, repayment frequency

^[1]

Jan. 20, 2022

Annual

Private placement facility, annual payment

$ 7,100

Debt Instrument, Date of First Required Payment

Jan. 20, 2016

Private placement facilities [Member] | Private placement facilities maturing in December 2024 [Member]

Dec. 24, 2012

$ 50,000

3.00%

Private placement facilities [Member] | Private placement facilities maturing in June 2021 [Member]

Dec. 24, 2024

Jun. 02, 2014

$ 100,000

3.19%

Private placement facilities [Member] | Private Placement facilities maturing in June 2027 [Member]

Jun. 02, 2021

Jun. 16, 2017

$ 100,000

3.42%

Private placement facilities [Member] | Private Placement Facilities maturing in September 2029 [Member]

Jun. 16, 2027

Sep. 15, 2017

$ 100,000

3.52%

Private placement facilities [Member] | Private Placement facilities maturing in January 2028 [Member]

Sep. 15, 2029

$ 100,000

3.32%

Jan. 02, 2028

[1]	(1) Annual repayments of approximately $7.1 million for this borrowing commenced on January 20, 2016.

Debt - U.S. Trade Accounts Receivable Securitization (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	5 Months Ended	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 01, 2016	Jul. 06, 2017	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Apr. 17, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of Long-term Debt			$ 28,042	$ 60,050	$ 15,381
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Including Current Maturities			$ 1,012,828	924,415
U.S. trade accounts receivable securitization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Pricing commitment period			3 years
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Apr. 29, 2019	Apr. 29, 2020
Debt Instrument Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 350,000		$ 350,000	350,000		$ 300,000
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Including Current Maturities			$ 350,000	350,000
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%
Debt instrument borrowing percentage of facility used for calculating commitment fee (as a percent)			50.00%
U.S. trade accounts receivable securitization [Member] \| Average Asset Backed Commercial Paper Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Including Current Maturities			$ 350,000	$ 350,000
Debt instrument, variable rate basis at period end			2.66%	1.53%
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate			0.75%	0.75%
Debt instrument, interest rate at period end			3.41%	2.28%

Debt - Maturities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
2019	$ 8,955
2020	458,445
2021	108,050
2022	30,421
2023	3,671
Thereafter	403,286
Total Long-term debt	1,012,828	$ 924,415
Private Placement Facilities [Member]
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Total Long-term debt	628,189	$ 535,295
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross	$ 382

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Components of the change in the redeemable noncontrolling interests [Abstract]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 832,138	$ 607,636	$ 542,194
Decrease in redeemable noncontrolling interests due to redemptions	(669,947)	(48,669)	(72,729)
Increase in redeemable noncontrolling interests due to business acquisitions	10,294	78,939	58,172
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	21,848	52,203	48,760
Dividends declared	(18,065)	(28,161)	(32,973)
Effect of foreign currency translation gain (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	(13,031)	7,461	(2,652)
Change in fair value of redeemable securities	148,919	162,729	66,864
Balance, end of period	$ 312,156	$ 832,138	$ 607,636

Comprehensive Income - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income and Comprehensive Income Components (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jul. 01, 2017	Apr. 01, 2017	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Attributable to Redeemable noncontrolling interests:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$ (18,595)				$ (5,564)				$ (18,595)	$ (5,564)	$ (13,025)
Attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(426)				539				(426)	539	(113)
Attributable to Henry Schein, Inc.:
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	(234,799)				(112,439)				(234,799)	(112,439)	(296,212)
Unrealized gain (loss) from foreign currency hedging activities	(156)				(782)				(156)	(782)	(53)
Unrealized investment gain (loss)	(6)				(3)				(6)	(3)	0
Pension adjustment gain (loss)	(13,810)				(16,843)				(13,810)	(16,843)	(20,776)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(248,771)				(130,067)				(248,771)	(130,067)	(317,041)
Total Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(267,792)				(135,092)				(267,792)	(135,092)	(330,179)
Components of comprehensive income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 139,010	$ 126,976	$ 147,509	$ 148,631	$ 8,510	$ 150,948	$ 149,582	$ 150,253	562,126	459,293	556,395
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)									(136,356)	191,886	(98,402)
Tax effect									0	0	0
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)									(136,356)	191,886	(98,402)
Unrealized gain (loss) from foreign currency hedging activities									1,022	(1,515)	(1,025)
Tax effect									(396)	786	33
Unrealized gain (loss) from foreign currency hedging activities									626	(729)	(992)
Unrealized investment gain (loss)									(3)	(4)	2
Tax effect									0	1	0
Unrealized investment gain (loss)									(3)	(3)	2
Pension adjustment gain (loss)									4,212	4,247	(947)
Tax effect									(1,179)	(314)	548
Pension adjustment gain (loss)									3,033	3,933	(399)
Comprehensive income									$ 429,426	$ 654,380	$ 456,604

Comprehensive Income - Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Components (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 26, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	$ (136,356)	$ 191,886	$ (98,402)
Euro
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	$ (40,681)	$ 113,259	$ (41,245)
FX rate into USD	1.14	1.2	1.05	1.1
Brazilian Real
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	$ (27,313)	$ (2,411)	$ 2,856
FX rate into USD	0.26	0.3	0.31	0.25
Australian Dollar
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	$ (25,639)	$ 15,124	$ (562)
FX rate into USD	0.7	0.78	0.72	0.73
British Pound
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	$ (21,329)	$ 28,001	$ (53,723)
FX rate into USD	1.26	1.35	1.23	1.49
Canadian Dollar
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	$ (9,111)	$ 9,403	$ 3,345
FX rate into USD	0.73	0.8	0.74	0.72
Polish Zloty
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	$ (5,025)	$ 11,058	$ (3,849)
FX rate into USD	0.27	0.29	0.24	0.26
Swiss Franc
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	$ (2,442)	$ 5,544	$ (2,365)
FX rate into USD	1.01	1.03	0.98	1.01
All other currencies
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation gain (loss)	$ (4,816)	$ 11,908	$ (2,859)

Comprehensive Income - Total Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Comprehensive Income Net Of Applicable Taxes [Abstract]
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Henry Schein, Inc.	$ 417,177	$ 593,273	$ 409,676
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,432	1,443	820
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Redeemable noncontrolling interests	8,817	59,664	46,108
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 429,426	$ 654,380	$ 456,604

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 26, 2015
Attributable To Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Abstract]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 312,156	$ 832,138	$ 607,636	$ 542,194
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of debt	1,964,300	1,666,100
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative contracts - assets	12,533	11,799
Total assets	12,533	11,799
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative contracts - liabilities	1,708	2,089
Total liabilities	1,708	2,089
Attributable To Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Abstract]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	312,156	832,138
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative contracts - assets	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative contracts - liabilities	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Attributable To Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Abstract]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	0	0
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative contracts - assets	12,533	11,799
Total assets	12,533	11,799
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative contracts - liabilities	1,708	2,089
Total liabilities	1,708	2,089
Attributable To Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Abstract]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	0	0
Fair value, measurements, recurring [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Assets [Abstract]
Derivative contracts - assets	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Liabilities [Abstract]
Derivative contracts - liabilities	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Attributable To Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests [Abstract]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 312,156	$ 832,138

Business Acquisitions (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

1 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Aug. 28, 2017

May 02, 2017

Mar. 23, 2016

Feb. 05, 2016

Jan. 12, 2016

Feb. 03, 2016

Dec. 29, 2018

Sep. 29, 2018

Jun. 30, 2018

Mar. 31, 2018

Dec. 30, 2017

Sep. 30, 2017

Jul. 01, 2017

Apr. 01, 2017

Dec. 29, 2018

Dec. 30, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

$ 3,375,202

$ 3,279,678

$ 3,326,676

$ 3,220,439

$ 3,318,054

$ 3,161,083

$ 3,059,458

$ 2,922,948

$ 13,201,995

$ 12,461,543

$ 11,571,668

Technology and Value-Added Services [Member]

2,820,295

2,301,331

2,820,295

2,301,331

2,019,740

^[1]

509,245

438,101

425,613

Internet Brands Inc [Member]

$ 729,854

204,737

729,854

204,737

188,205

Noncontrolling Interest, Increase from Business Combination

$ 567,600

Internet Brands Inc [Member] | Henry Schein One, LLC. [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent

26.00%

Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage increase, second through fifth anniversary

7.60%

Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage maximum additional increase, contingency

1.60%

Henry Schein One, LLC. [Member] | Technology and Value-Added Services [Member]

Henry Schein Inc, and certain minority holders, if applicable [Member] | Henry Schein One, LLC. [Member]

$ 551,700

Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent

74.00%

Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member]

Southern Anesthesia and Surgical, Inc. [Member]

$ 15,200

$ 43,200

$ 15,200

$ 43,200

$ 101,300

Business acquisition, approximate annual sales of acquired entity

$ 72,000

Merritt Veterinary Supplies, Inc. [Member]

$ 74,200

Business acquisition, approximate annual sales of acquired entity

$ 115,000

$ 34,400

Vetstreet, Inc [Member]

Acquired equity interest (as a percent)

80.10%

Business acquisition, approximate annual sales of acquired entity

$ 40,000

$ 21,400

Rxworks, Inc. [Member]

Business acquisition, approximate annual sales of acquired entity

$ 7,000

Dental Cremer S.A. [Member]

$ 8,100

Business acquisition, approximate annual sales of acquired entity

$ 70,000

$ 63,200

J. Morita [Member]

Acquired equity interest (as a percent)

50.00%

Business acquisition, approximate annual sales of acquired entity

$ 125,000

[1]	Consists of practice management software and other value-added products, which are distributed primarily to health care providers, and financial services on a non-recourse basis, e-services, continuing education services for practitioners, consulting and other services.

Plans of Restructuring (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
Plans of Restructuring (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018 USD ($)	Sep. 29, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 29, 2018 USD ($) positions	Dec. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Jul. 09, 2018 USD ($)	Nov. 06, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges, pre-tax	$ 35,401	$ 8,853	$ 14,896	$ 3,762	$ 62,912	$ 0	$ 45,891
Employee severance pay and benefits [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges, pre-tax					58,154	0	40,728
Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Charges, pre-tax					$ 3,607	$ 0	3,587
November 2014 restructuring initiative [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Number of Positions Eliminated, Period Percent					4.00%
Restructuring and Related Cost, Number of Positions Eliminated \| positions					900
Restructuring Charges, pre-tax							$ 34,900
November 2014 restructuring initiative [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring And Related Cost Expected Percentage Of Workforce Eliminated									2.00%
November 2014 restructuring initiative [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring And Related Cost Expected Percentage Of Workforce Eliminated									3.00%
Strategic Plan, 2018 to 2020 [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Scenario, Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring And Related Cost Expected Percentage Of Workforce Eliminated								2.00%
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost								$ 45,000
Strategic Plan, 2018 to 2020 [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Scenario, Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring And Related Cost Expected Percentage Of Workforce Eliminated								3.00%
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost								$ 55,000

Plans of Restructuring - Restructuring Reserve Roll Forward by Expense and Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Reserve, beginning balance				$ 4,557	$ 4,557	$ 25,703	$ 12,065
Provision	$ 35,401	$ 8,853	$ 14,896	3,762	62,912	0	45,891
Payments and other adjustments					(34,833)	(21,146)	(32,253)
Restructuring Reserve, ending balance	32,636				32,636	4,557	25,703
Health Care Distribution [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Reserve, beginning balance				4,557	4,557	25,238	12,062
Provision					59,126	0	44,082
Payments and other adjustments					(32,483)	(20,681)	(30,906)
Restructuring Reserve, ending balance	31,200				31,200	4,557	25,238
Technology and Value-Added Services [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Reserve, beginning balance				0	0	465	3
Provision					3,786	0	1,809
Payments and other adjustments					(2,350)	(465)	(1,347)
Restructuring Reserve, ending balance	1,436				1,436	0	465
Severance costs [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Reserve, beginning balance				3,218	3,218	22,354	9,103
Provision					58,154	0	40,728
Payments and other adjustments					(30,649)	(19,136)	(27,477)
Restructuring Reserve, ending balance	30,723				30,723	3,218	22,354
Facility closing costs [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Reserve, beginning balance				1,315	1,315	2,454	2,151
Provision					3,607	0	3,587
Payments and other adjustments					(3,167)	(1,139)	(3,284)
Restructuring Reserve, ending balance	1,755				1,755	1,315	2,454
Other [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring Reserve, beginning balance				$ 24	24	895	811
Provision					1,151	0	1,576
Payments and other adjustments					(1,017)	(871)	(1,492)
Restructuring Reserve, ending balance	$ 158				$ 158	$ 24	$ 895

Earnings Per Share (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Earnings Per Share (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	152,656	156,787	161,641
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units (in shares)	1,051	1,421	2,082
Diluted (in shares)	153,707	158,208	163,723

Income Taxes - Income before Taxes and Equity in Earnings of Affiliates and Provisions for Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income before equity method investments, income taxes and loss on sale of equity investment [Abstract]
Domestic	$ 505,877	$ 649,657	$ 625,792
Foreign	189,471	173,191	130,043
Total income before taxes and equity in earnings of affiliates	$ 695,348	$ 822,848	$ 755,835

Income Taxes - Provisions for income taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current income tax expense:
U.S. Federal	$ 93,209	$ 283,417	$ 185,438
State and local	35,197	28,520	28,229
Foreign	68,299	50,084	41,357
Total current	196,705	362,021	255,024
Deferred income tax expense (benefit):
U.S. Federal	(9,331)	13,686	(18,090)
State and local	(4,625)	856	(4,809)
Foreign	(27,257)	(14,057)	(14,167)
Total deferred	(41,213)	485	(37,066)
Total income tax provision	$ 155,492	$ 362,506	$ 217,958

Income Taxes - Deferred Income Tax Asset (Liabilty) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Dec. 29, 2018

Dec. 30, 2017

Deferred income tax asset:

Investment in partnerships

$ 76,232

$ 22,600

Net operating losses and other carryforwards

44,630

48,711

Inventory, premium coupon redemptions and accounts receivable valuation allowances

25,270

23,715

Stock-based compensation

8,189

6,591

Uniform capitalization adjustment to inventories

18,473

22,525

Other asset

38,514

13,669

Total deferred income tax asset

211,308

137,811

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

^[1]

(23,535)

(31,223)

Net deferred income tax asset

187,773

106,588

Deferred income tax liability

Intangibles amortization

(122,805)

(132,280)

Property and equipment

(13,296)

(13,777)

Total deferred tax liability

(136,101)

(146,057)

Net deferred income tax asset (liability)

^[2]

$ (39,469)

Net deferred income tax asset (liability)

^[2]

$ 51,672

[1]	Primarily relates to operating losses of acquired subsidiaries, the benefits of which are uncertain. Any future reductions of such valuation allowances will be reflected as a reduction of income tax expense in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 805, “Business Combinations.”
[2]	Certain deferred tax amounts do not have a right of offset and are therefore reflected on a gross basis in non-current assets and liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.

Income Taxes - Operating Loss Carryforwards (Details) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018 USD ($)
Foreign tax authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards subject to amortization	$ 2.4
Net operating loss carryforwards not subject to expiration	$ 135.9
Net operating loss carryforwards, year of expiration	Dec. 31, 2026
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards subject to amortization	$ 16.9
Net operating loss carryforwards not subject to expiration	$ 12.5
Net operating loss carryforwards, year of expiration	Dec. 31, 2038

Income Taxes - Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Amount [Abstract]
Income tax provision at federal statutory rate	$ 146,023	$ 287,996	$ 264,542
State income tax provision, net of federal income tax effect	16,271	12,457	11,236
Foreign income tax provision	(420)	(24,433)	(18,036)
Pass through noncontrolling interest	(4,595)	(11,623)	(13,083)
Valuation allowance	2,037	1,008	1,472
Unrecognized tax benefits and audit settlements	4,166	3,899	3,066
Interest expense related to loans	(11,925)	(18,717)	(21,737)
Excess tax benefits related to stock compensation	(837)	(17,387)	0
Transition tax on deemed repatriation of foreign earnings	(10,000)	140,000	0
Revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities	(1,676)	2,953	0
Tax on global intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI")	7,455	0	0
Transaction costs related to Animal Health spin-off	7,325	0	0
Tax benefit related to legal entity reorganization outside the U.S.	(13,852)	0	0
Tax charge related to reorganization of legal entities related to forming Henry Schein One	3,914	0	0
Tax charge related to reorganization of legal entities completed in preparation for the Animal Health spin-off	3,135	0	0
Other	8,471	(13,647)	(9,502)
Total income tax provision	$ 155,492	$ 362,506	$ 217,958

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 90,900	$ 90,400	$ 77,600
Additions based on current year tax positions	5,000	8,500	7,300
Additions based on prior year tax positions	11,600	6,100	20,400
Reductions based on prior year tax positions	(1,700)	(800)	(900)
Reductions resulting from settlements with taxing authorities	(1,900)	(10,500)	(9,700)
Reductions resulting from lapse in statutes of limitations	(20,400)	(2,800)	(4,300)
Balance, end of period	$ 83,500	$ 90,900	$ 90,400

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Effective tax rate (in hundredths)	22.40%	44.10%
Effective tax rate without the effect of income tax expense (as a percent)	26.70%
Effect of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act [Abstract]
Tax on global intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI")	$ 7,455	$ 0	$ 0
Revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities	(1,676)	2,953	0
Provision for (benefit from) transitional tax	(10,000)	140,000	0
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Transition Tax for Accumulated Foreign Earnings, Liability, Current	9,900
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Transition Tax for Accumulated Foreign Earnings, Liability, Noncurrent	$ 104,200
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Income Tax Expense (Benefit)		$ 143,000
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Accounting Complete [true false]	true
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, Accounting Complete, Date	Dec. 22, 2018
Unrecognized tax benefits	$ 100,000
Unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate if recognized	86,100
Total interest	16,400
Total penalties	$ 0
Other Information Pertaining to Income Taxes	The tax years subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions include the years 2012 and forward by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), as well as the years 2008 and forward for certain states and certain foreign jurisdictions. In December 2014, the IRS issued a Statutory Notice of Deficiency for 2009, 2010 and 2011. During the quarter ended March 28, 2015, we filed our petition to the U.S. Tax Court disputing the adjustments proposed by the IRS. During the quarter ended June 27, 2015, we were notified by the IRS that our protest was transferred to the Appellate Divisions (Appeals Section) of the IRS. During the quarter ended March 26, 2016, we filed our protest with the Appellate Division. The opening appeals conference was held on June 8, 2016 and a proposed settlement was reached. On July 13, 2016, a joint status report was filed with the Tax Court indicating a basis for settlement had been reached on all of the issues in this case. On October 7, 2016 an executed decision document was signed by the Internal Revenue Service’s Special Trial Attorney and submitted to the Tax Court finalizing the Appeals decision. Additionally, during the quarter ended December 31, 2016 we filed a Mutual Agreement Procedure request with the IRS for assistance from the U.S. Competent Authority for an open Transfer Pricing issue which resulted in a partial settlement during the quarter ended December 30, 2017. We received a 30 Day Letter from the IRS during the quarter ended April 1, 2017 for the remaining open audit issues for the years 2012 and 2013. We filed a Protest with the Appellate Division regarding these issues during the second quarter of 2017. We had an initial Appeals Conference during the third quarter of 2018, of which we are awaiting a final settlement. During the quarter ended December 29, 2018, we submitted the first draft of our proposed Advanced Pricing Agreement covering tax years 2014-2024 to the IRS in which Henry Schein, Inc. and the IRS would agree on an appropriate transfer pricing methodology. We do not expect this to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, liquidity or the results of operations.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Liability (Refund) Adjustment from Settlement with Taxing Authority			$ (4,500)

Concentrations of Risk (Details)	12 Months Ended
Concentrations of Risk (Details)	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Top customer concentration risk [Member] \| Sales revenue, net [Member] \| Any single customer [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage (as a percent)	1.00%	1.00%
Supplier concentration risk [Member] \| Purchases [Member] \| Top ten health care distribution suppliers [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage (as a percent)	32.00%	34.00%
Supplier concentration risk [Member] \| Purchases [Member] \| Single largest supplier [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage (as a percent)	6.00%	5.00%

Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details)	12 Months Ended
Derivatives and Hedging Activities (Details)	Dec. 29, 2018
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Maximum duration of foreign currency forward contracts	18 months

Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Disaggregation of Net sales (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018 USD ($)
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 13,201,995
North America [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Net sales	8,740,783
International [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Net sales	4,461,212
Healthcare Distribution [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Net sales	12,692,750
Healthcare Distribution [Member] \| North America [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Net sales	8,314,130
Healthcare Distribution [Member] \| International [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Net sales	4,378,620
Healthcare Distribution [Member] \| Dental [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Net sales	6,348,945
Healthcare Distribution [Member] \| Dental [Member] \| North America [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Net sales	3,867,118
Healthcare Distribution [Member] \| Dental [Member] \| International [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Net sales	2,481,827
Healthcare Distribution [Member] \| Animal Health [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Net sales	3,682,639
Healthcare Distribution [Member] \| Animal Health [Member] \| North America [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Net sales	1,865,316
Healthcare Distribution [Member] \| Animal Health [Member] \| International [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Net sales	1,817,323
Healthcare Distribution [Member] \| Medical [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Net sales	2,661,166
Healthcare Distribution [Member] \| Medical [Member] \| North America [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Net sales	2,581,696
Healthcare Distribution [Member] \| Medical [Member] \| International [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Net sales	79,470
Technology and Value-Added Services [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Net sales	509,245
Technology and Value-Added Services [Member] \| North America [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Net sales	426,653
Technology and Value-Added Services [Member] \| International [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 82,592

Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Contract Balances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Abstract]
Contract with Customer, Liability, Current	$ 83.6	$ 85.7
Contract with Customer, Liability, Noncurrent	$ 5.3	$ 5.2

Segment and Geographic Data (Details)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2018

USD ($)

number

Sep. 29, 2018

USD ($)

Jun. 30, 2018

USD ($)

Mar. 31, 2018

USD ($)

Dec. 30, 2017

USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2017

USD ($)

Jul. 01, 2017

USD ($)

Apr. 01, 2017

USD ($)

Dec. 29, 2018

USD ($)

number

Dec. 30, 2017

USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2016

USD ($)

Number of reportable segments | number

Number of countries served globally | number

Income before taxes, equity in earnings of affiliates and loss on sale of equity investment

$ 3,375,202

$ 3,279,678

$ 3,326,676

$ 3,220,439

$ 3,318,054

$ 3,161,083

$ 3,059,458

$ 2,922,948

$ 13,201,995

$ 12,461,543

$ 11,571,668

Operating income

179,635

$ 165,926

$ 201,349

$ 206,142

241,191

$ 213,548

$ 210,662

$ 193,968

753,052

859,369

771,574

695,348

822,848

755,835

Depreciation and amortization

207,560

193,072

169,780

Purchases of fixed assets

155,492

362,506

217,958

Interest income

21,236

17,553

13,275

Interest expense

78,786

53,654

31,893

90,637

81,501

70,179

Total assets

8,500,527

7,863,995

8,500,527

7,863,995

6,811,763

Health Care Distribution [Member]

Income before taxes, equity in earnings of affiliates and loss on sale of equity investment

^[1]

12,692,750

12,023,442

11,146,055

Operating income

618,788

728,520

652,106

563,006

696,453

640,184

Depreciation and amortization

179,760

168,186

146,276

Purchases of fixed assets

101,179

325,302

185,571

Interest income

20,849

17,318

13,086

Interest expense

78,769

53,607

31,845

87,131

76,449

66,611

Total assets

7,375,723

7,399,718

7,375,723

7,399,718

6,377,253

Health Care Distribution [Member] | Dental [Member]

Health Care Distribution [Member] | Animal Health [Member]

6,348,945

6,048,813

5,555,299

Health Care Distribution [Member] | Medical [Member]

3,682,639

3,476,635

3,253,095

Technology and Value-Added Services [Member]

2,661,166

2,497,994

2,337,661

Income before taxes, equity in earnings of affiliates and loss on sale of equity investment

^[2]

509,245

438,101

425,613

Operating income

134,264

130,849

119,468

132,342

126,395

115,651

Depreciation and amortization

27,800

24,886

23,504

Purchases of fixed assets

54,313

37,204

32,387

Interest income

387

235

189

Interest expense

3,506

5,052

3,568

Total assets

$ 1,124,804

$ 464,277

$ 1,124,804

$ 464,277

$ 434,510

[1]	Consists of consumable products, small equipment, laboratory products, large equipment, equipment repair services, branded and generic pharmaceuticals, vaccines, surgical products, diagnostic tests, infection-control products and vitamins.
[2]	Consists of practice management software and other value-added products, which are distributed primarily to health care providers, and financial services on a non-recourse basis, e-services, continuing education services for practitioners, consulting and other services.

Segment and Geographic Data - Net Sales and Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Area (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jul. 01, 2017	Apr. 01, 2017	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 3,375,202	$ 3,279,678	$ 3,326,676	$ 3,220,439	$ 3,318,054	$ 3,161,083	$ 3,059,458	$ 2,922,948	$ 13,201,995	$ 12,461,543	$ 11,571,668
Long-Lived Assets	3,786,936				3,345,973				3,786,936	3,345,973	2,974,826
United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									8,348,398	7,904,698	7,536,897
Long-Lived Assets	2,522,477				2,000,624				$ 2,522,477	$ 2,000,624	$ 1,803,689
United States [Member] \| Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] \| Sales revenue, net [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Concentration risk percentage (as a percent)									10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Locations other than the United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 4,853,597	$ 4,556,845	$ 4,034,771
Long-Lived Assets	$ 1,264,459				$ 1,345,349				$ 1,264,459	$ 1,345,349	$ 1,171,137

Employee Benefit Plans - Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Compensation Related Costs [Abstract]
Pre-tax share-based compensation expense	$ 36,200	$ 42,300	$ 58,200
After-tax share-based compensation expense	28,100	23,700	41,400
Excess tax benefits	0	$ 0	$ (463)
Liability for cash settlement stock-based compensation awards	$ 800
Weighted-average grant date fair value of stock-based awards granted before forfeitures (in dollars per share)	$ 71.38	$ 85.43	$ 83.9
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested awards	$ 77,900
Weighted-average period of recognition for unrecognized compensation costs on nonvested awards (in years)	2 years
Total cash received as a result of stock options exercises	$ 3,076	$ 5,266	$ 11,404
Stock option exercises tax benefits	$ 0	$ 0	$ 23,392

Employee Benefit Plans - Stock Option Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Employee and director stock options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares)	155	353	769
Granted (in shares)	0	0	0
Exercised (in shares)	(153)	(198)	(416)
Forfeited (in shares)	0	0	0
Outstanding at end of period (in shares)	2	155	353
Ending balance, options exercisable (in shares)	2	155	353
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Outstanding at beginning of period (in dollars per share)	$ 29.65	$ 28.59	$ 28
Granted (in dollars per share)	0	0	0
Exercised (in dollars per share)	29.81	27.76	27.49
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	0	0	0
Outstanding at end of period (in dollars per share)	17.22	29.65	28.59
Ending balance, options exercisable (in dollars per share)	$ 17.22	$ 29.65	$ 28.59
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Stock option outstanding aggregate intrinsic value as of period end	$ 121	$ 6,256	$ 16,681
Stock option exercisable aggregate intrinsic value as of period end	$ 121	$ 6,256	$ 16,681
Restricted stock/units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total intrinsic value of restricted stock that vested during the year (in dollars per share)	$ 76.48	$ 83.16	$ 81.86
Time-based restricted stock/units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance outstanding (in shares)	1,233
Granted (in shares)	367
Vested (in shares)	(312)
Forfeited (in shares)	(88)
Ending balance outstanding (in shares)	1,200	1,233
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Beginning balance outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 70.28
Granted (in dollars per share)	66
Vested (in dollars per share)	62.98
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	77.67
Ending balance outstanding (in dollars per share)	70.33	$ 70.28
Intrinsic value (in dollars per share)	$ 77.92
Performance-based restricted stock/units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Period over which earnings per share performance is measured against specified targets (in years)	3 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance outstanding (in shares)	1,226
Granted (in shares)	200
Vested (in shares)	(426)
Forfeited (in shares)	(80)
Ending balance outstanding (in shares)	920	1,226
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Beginning balance outstanding (in dollars per share)	$ 60.81
Granted (in dollars per share)	72.16
Vested (in dollars per share)	71.33
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	77.27
Ending balance outstanding (in dollars per share)	50.86	$ 60.81
Intrinsic value (in dollars per share)	$ 77.92
2013 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares authorized to be granted (in shares)	62,459
Shares available to be granted (in shares)	6,262
2013 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended [Member] \| Time-based restricted stock/units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of years for full vesting (in years)	4 years
2013 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended [Member] \| Performance-based restricted stock/units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of years for full vesting (in years)	3 years
2015 Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares authorized to be granted (in shares)	1,800
Shares available to be granted (in shares)	256
2015 Non-Employee Director Stock Incentive Plan [Member] \| Time-based restricted stock/units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of years for full vesting (in years)	12 months

Employee Benefit Plans - Other Employee Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Management [Member] \| Deferred compensation bonus and commission plan [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]
Deferred compensation plan fair market value amount charged (credited) to operations	$ 2.3	$ 5.0	$ 1.7
Qualified 401K plan [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amounts charged (credited) to operations	$ (35.0)	(39.0)	(33.9)
Qualified 401K plan [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Maximum matching contributions as a percentage of participants' contributions (as a percent)	100.00%
Maximum participants' contributions as a percentage of their base compensation (as a percent)	7.00%
Allowable maximum percentage of contributions allocated to Henry Schein Stock Fund (as a percent)	20.00%
Supplemental executive retirement plan [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Amounts charged (credited) to operations	$ 0.4	$ (0.6)	$ (0.3)

Commitments and Contingencies - Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due [Abstract]
2019	$ 78,940
2020	61,605
2021	44,574
2022	31,501
2023	23,365
Thereafter	68,373
Total minimum operating lease payments	308,358
Total rent expense	$ 91,100	$ 84,800	$ 79,600

Commitments and Contingencies - Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018 USD ($)
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due [Abstract]
2019	$ 1,695
2020	1,134
2021	710
2022	313
2023	291
Thereafter	1,430
Total minimum capital lease payments	5,573
Less: Amount representing interest at 0.07% and 19.79%	(425)
Total present value of minimum capital lease payments	$ 5,148
Capital lease obligations [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Leases, Capital [Abstract]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	0.07%
Capital lease obligations [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Leases, Capital [Abstract]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	19.79%

Commitments and Contingencies - Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 29, 2018 USD ($)
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Abstract]
2019	$ 499,346
2020	215,445
2021	230,967
2022	124,465
2023	446
Thereafter	0
Total minimum inventory purchase commitment payments	$ 1,070,669

Commitments and Contingencies - Other Commitments (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018 USD ($)
Employment, consulting and non-compete agreements [Member]
Other Commitment, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2019	$ 16,600
2020	1,800
2021	800
2022	100
2023	0
Life-time consulting agreement [Member]
Other Commitment, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Current compensation paid under lifetime consulting agreement	500
Amount of increase effective every fifth year on lifetime consulting agreement	$ 25

Commitments and Contingencies - Litigation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended			13 Months Ended
	Jan. 29, 2019	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jul. 01, 2017	Apr. 01, 2017	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2018
Loss Contingency, Information about Litigation Matters [Abstract]
Litigation settlements		$ 0	$ 38,488	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 5,325	$ 0	$ 38,488	$ 5,325	$ 0
Loss Contingency, Management's Assessment and Process										As of December 29, 2018, we had accrued our best estimate of potential losses relating to claims that were probable to result in liability and for which we were able to reasonably estimate a loss. This accrued amount, as well as related expenses, was not material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Our method for determining estimated losses considers currently available facts, presently enacted laws and regulations and other factors, including probable recoveries from third parties.
Class Action Complaints Against Patterson Companies, Inc., Benco Dental Supply Co. and Henry Schein, Inc. [Member]
Loss Contingency, Information about Litigation Matters [Abstract]
Loss Contingency, Lawsuit Filing Date										January 2016
Loss Contingency, Name of Defendant										Patterson Companies, Inc. (“Patterson”), Benco Dental Supply Co. (“Benco”) and Henry Schein, Inc.
Loss Contingency, Name of Plaintiff										class action complaints
Loss Contingency, Allegations										each of these complaints alleges, among other things, that defendants conspired to fix prices, allocate customers and foreclose competitors by boycotting manufacturers, state dental associations and others that deal with defendants’ competitors.
Litigation settlements		$ 38,500
Archer and White Sales, Inc. v. collectively, the Danaher Defendants [Member]
Loss Contingency, Information about Litigation Matters [Abstract]
Loss Contingency, Lawsuit Filing Date										August 31, 2012
Loss Contingency, Name of Defendant										Henry Schein, Inc. as well as Danaher Corporation and its subsidiaries Instrumentarium Dental, Inc., Dental Equipment, LLC, Kavo Dental Technologies, LLC and Dental Imaging Technologies Corporation (collectively, the “Danaher Defendants”)
Loss Contingency, Name of Plaintiff										Archer and White Sales, Inc.
Loss Contingency, Allegations										Archer alleges a conspiracy between Henry Schein, an unnamed company and the Danaher Defendants to terminate or limit Archer’s distribution rights.
Archer filed amended complaint adding Patterson and Benco as Defendants [Member]
Loss Contingency, Information about Litigation Matters [Abstract]
Loss Contingency, Lawsuit Filing Date										On August 1, 2017
Loss Contingency, Name of Defendant										Henry Schein, Inc. as well as Danaher Corporation and its subsidiaries Instrumentarium Dental, Inc., Dental Equipment, LLC, Kavo Dental Technologies, LLC and Dental Imaging Technologies Corporation (collectively, the “Danaher Defendants”)
Loss Contingency, Name of Plaintiff										Archer and White Sales, Inc.
Loss Contingency, Allegations										and alleging that Henry Schein, Patterson, Benco and Burkhart conspired to fix prices and refused to compete with each other for sales of dental equipment to dental professionals and agreed to enlist their common suppliers, the Danaher Defendants, to join a price-fixing conspiracy and boycott by reducing the distribution territory of, and eventually terminating, their price-cutting competing distributor Archer.
Archer filed second amended complaint under seal [Member]
Loss Contingency, Information about Litigation Matters [Abstract]
Loss Contingency, Lawsuit Filing Date										October 30, 2017
Loss Contingency, Name of Defendant										Henry Schein, Inc. as well as Danaher Corporation and its subsidiaries Instrumentarium Dental, Inc., Dental Equipment, LLC, Kavo Dental Technologies, LLC and Dental Imaging Technologies Corporation (collectively, the “Danaher Defendants”), Patterson Companies, Inc. (“Patterson”), Benco Dental Supply Co. (“Benco”)
Loss Contingency, Name of Plaintiff										Archer and White Sales, Inc.
Loss Contingency, Allegations										additional allegations that it believes support its claims
IQ Dental Supply, Inc V. Henry Schein, Inc. Patterson Companies, Inc. [Member]
Loss Contingency, Information about Litigation Matters [Abstract]
Loss Contingency, Lawsuit Filing Date										August 17, 2017
Loss Contingency, Name of Defendant										Henry Schein, Inc., Patterson Companies, Inc. and Benco Dental Supply Company
Loss Contingency, Name of Plaintiff										IQ Dental Supply, Inc
Loss Contingency, Allegations										Plaintiff alleges that it is a distributor of dental supplies and equipment, and sells dental products through an online dental distribution platform operated by SourceOne Dental (“SourceOne”).
United States Federal Trade Commission [Member]
Loss Contingency, Information about Litigation Matters [Abstract]
Loss Contingency, Lawsuit Filing Date										February 12, 2018
Loss Contingency, Name of Defendant										Benco Dental Supply Co., Henry Schein, Inc. and Patterson Companies, Inc.
Loss Contingency, Name of Plaintiff										United States Federal Trade Commission
Loss Contingency, Allegations										The FTC alleges, among other things, that defendants violated U.S. antitrust laws by conspiring, and entering into an agreement, to refuse to provide discounts to or otherwise serve buying groups representing dental practitioners.
Salkowitz v. Henry Schein, Inc. et al [Member]
Loss Contingency, Information about Litigation Matters [Abstract]
Loss Contingency, Lawsuit Filing Date										March 7, 2018
Loss Contingency, Name of Defendant										Henry Schein, Inc., Stanley M. Bergman and Steven Paladino
Loss Contingency, Name of Plaintiff										Joseph Salkowitz, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated
Loss Contingency, Allegations										The complaint alleged, among other things, that the defendants had made materially false and misleading statements about Henry Schein’s business, operations and prospects during the Class Period, including matters relating to the issues in the antitrust class action and the FTC action described above, thereby causing the plaintiff and members of the purported class to pay artificially inflated prices for Henry Schein securities.
Marion Diagnostic Center, LLC, et al. v. Becton, Dickinson, and Co., et al [Member]
Loss Contingency, Information about Litigation Matters [Abstract]
Loss Contingency, Lawsuit Filing Date										May 3, 2018
Loss Contingency, Name of Defendant										Becton, Dickinson, and Co. (“Becton”); Premier, Inc. (“Premier”), Vizient, Inc. (“Vizient”), Cardinal Health, Inc. (“Cardinal”), Owens & Minor Inc. (“O&M”), Henry Schein, Inc., and Unnamed Becton Distributor Co-Conspirators
Loss Contingency, Name of Plaintiff										Marion Diagnostic Center, LLC, et al.
Loss Contingency, Allegations										The complaint alleges that the defendants entered into a vertical conspiracy to force healthcare providers into long-term exclusionary contracts that restrain trade in the nationwide markets for conventional and safety syringes and safety IV catheters and inflate the prices of certain Becton products to above-competitive levels.
The County of Summit, Ohio et al. v. Purdue Pharma, L.P., et al [Member]
Loss Contingency, Information about Litigation Matters [Abstract]
Loss Contingency, Lawsuit Filing Date										May 29, 2018
Loss Contingency, Name of Defendant										Henry Schein, Inc., Henry Schein Medical Systems, Inc. and others as defendants
Loss Contingency, Name of Plaintiff										The County of Summit, Ohio et al.
Loss Contingency, Allegations										Plaintiffs allege that manufacturers of prescription opioid drugs engaged in a false advertising campaign to expand the market for such drugs and their own market share and that the entities in the supply chain (including Henry Schein, Inc. and Henry Schein Medical Systems, Inc.) reaped financial rewards by refusing or otherwise failing to monitor appropriately and restrict the improper distribution of those drugs.
Actions consolidated in the MultiDistrict Litigation [Member]
Loss Contingency, Information about Litigation Matters [Abstract]
Loss Contingency, Name of Defendant										Henry Schein and/or one or more of its affiliated companies
Loss Contingency, Allegations										allege claims similar to those alleged in the Summit County Action
Maximum sales of opioids in North America during the year, percentage													1.00%
Kramer v. Henry Schein, Inc., Patterson Co., Inc., Benco Dental Supply Co., and Unnamed Co-Conspirators [Member]
Loss Contingency, Information about Litigation Matters [Abstract]
Loss Contingency, Lawsuit Filing Date										October 9, 2018
Loss Contingency, Name of Defendant										Henry Schein, Inc., Patterson Co., Inc., Benco Dental Supply Co., and Unnamed Co-Conspirators
Loss Contingency, Name of Plaintiff										Kramer
Loss Contingency, Allegations										The complaint alleges that the alleged conspiracy overcharged California dental practices, orthodontic practices and dental laboratories on their purchase of dental supplies, which in turn passed on some or all of such overcharges to members of the California class purchasing dental services.
R. Lawrence Hatchett, M.D. against Henry Schein, Inc., Patterson Co., Inc., Benco Dental Supply Co., and unnamed co-conspirators [Member] \| Subsequent Event [Member]
Loss Contingency, Information about Litigation Matters [Abstract]
Loss Contingency, Lawsuit Filing Date	January 29, 2019
Loss Contingency, Name of Defendant	Henry Schein, Inc., Patterson Co., Inc., Benco Dental Supply Co., and unnamed co-conspirators
Loss Contingency, Name of Plaintiff	R. Lawrence Hatchett, M.D.
Loss Contingency, Allegations	The complaint alleges that members of the proposed class suffered antitrust injury due to an unlawful boycott, price-fixing or otherwise anticompetitive conspiracy among Henry Schein, Patterson and Benco.

Quarterly Information (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Sep. 29, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jul. 01, 2017	Apr. 01, 2017	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,375,202	$ 3,279,678	$ 3,326,676	$ 3,220,439	$ 3,318,054	$ 3,161,083	$ 3,059,458	$ 2,922,948	$ 13,201,995	$ 12,461,543	$ 11,571,668
Gross profit	909,860	888,560	901,072	895,592	900,956	836,054	839,173	822,920	3,595,084	3,399,103	3,226,473
Litigation settlements	0	38,488	0	0	0	0	5,325	0	38,488	5,325	0
Transaction costs related to Animal Health spin-off	20,086	7,282	7,611	3,777					38,756	0	0
Restructuring costs	35,401	8,853	14,896	3,762					62,912	0	45,891
Operating income	179,635	165,926	201,349	206,142	241,191	213,548	210,662	193,968	753,052	859,369	771,574
Net income	139,010	126,976	147,509	148,631	8,510	150,948	149,582	150,253	562,126	459,293	556,395
Amounts attributable to Henry Schein, Inc.:
Net income	$ 132,973	$ 121,478	$ 141,212	$ 140,218	$ (8,535)	$ 138,031	$ 136,055	$ 140,748	$ 535,881	$ 406,299	$ 506,778
Earnings per share attributable to Henry Schein, Inc.:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.88	$ 0.8	$ 0.92	$ 0.92	$ (0.06)	$ 0.88	$ 0.86	$ 0.89	$ 3.51	$ 2.59	$ 3.14
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.87	$ 0.79	$ 0.92	$ 0.91	$ (0.06)	$ 0.87	$ 0.86	$ 0.88	$ 3.49	$ 2.57	$ 3.1

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2018	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Interest		$ 72,310	$ 49,311	$ 29,391
Income taxes		248,245	221,832	205,196
Unrealized gain (loss) from foreign currency hedging activities		1,022	(1,515)	(1,025)
Debt assumed as part of acquisitions		0	400	$ 63,800
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisitions [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, non-cash transaction		$ 1,400	$ 17,600
Internet Brands Inc [Member] \| Henry Schein One, LLC. [Member] \| Internet Brands Inc [Member]
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisitions [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, non-cash transaction	$ 385,000
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Interest Acquired	26.00%
Achievement of certain operating targets [Member] \| Henry Schein One, LLC. [Member] \| Henry Schein One, LLC. [Member] \| Internet Brands Inc [Member]
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisitions [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, non-cash transaction	$ 182,600
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Interest Acquired	9.20%

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - Allowance For Doubtful Accounts And Other [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2018	Dec. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 53,832	$ 38,962	$ 30,974
Charged to statement of income	15,105	9,370	2,647
Charged to other accounts	(700)	12,206	11,576
Deductions	(7,704)	(6,706)	(6,235)
Balance at end of period	$ 60,533	$ 53,832	$ 38,962

Subsequent Event (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Feb. 07, 2019

Dec. 29, 2018

Sep. 29, 2018

Jun. 30, 2018

Mar. 31, 2018

Dec. 30, 2017

Sep. 30, 2017

Jul. 01, 2017

Apr. 01, 2017

Dec. 29, 2018

Dec. 30, 2017

Dec. 31, 2016

$ 3,375,202

$ 3,279,678

$ 3,326,676

$ 3,220,439

$ 3,318,054

$ 3,161,083

$ 3,059,458

$ 2,922,948

$ 13,201,995

$ 12,461,543

$ 11,571,668

Healthcare Distribution [Member]

$ 132,973

$ 121,478

$ 141,212

$ 140,218

$ (8,535)

$ 138,031

$ 136,055

$ 140,748

535,881

406,299

506,778

Subsequent Event [Member]

^[1]

$ 12,692,750

$ 12,023,442

$ 11,146,055

Proceeds from Divestiture of Interest in Consolidated Subsidiaries

$ 361,100

Subsequent Event [Member] | Henry Schein Animal Health Business [Member] | Healthcare Distribution [Member]

Discontinued operation name

Henry Schein Animal Health Business

Subsequent Event [Member] | Henry Schein Animal Health Business [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member] | Healthcare Distribution [Member] | Pro Forma [Member]

$ 9,400,000

HS Spinco, Inc [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]

430,700,000

Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock

$ 361,100

Henry Schein stockholders and the Share Sale Investors [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Covetrus, Inc. [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent

63.00%

Vets First Corp [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Covetrus, Inc. [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent

37.00%

HS Spinco, Inc [Member] | HS Spinco, Inc [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Henry Schein Animal Health Business [Member]