Henry Schein
Corporate brand
UnclaimedHenry Schein is a global distributor of health-care products, services, and technology for office-based dental, medical, and veterinary professionals.
Last updated August 27, 2026
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Overview
Henry Schein, Inc. is a United States-based health-care distribution and technology company serving office-based dental and medical practitioners, dental laboratories, health systems, specialty-care providers, public-safety organizations, and, historically, veterinary practices. Its business combines the distribution of consumable supplies and equipment with software, practice-management tools, equipment servicing, analytics, financing-related support, and other professional services. The company is best known for its role in dental distribution, where it has built a broad portfolio spanning clinical consumables, dental equipment, laboratory products, implants, clear aligners, practice-management software, imaging, and digital workflow solutions. The company began in 1932 when pharmacist Henry Schein borrowed $500 to open a pharmacy in Queens, New York. His business later expanded beyond retail pharmacy into professional health-care distribution, with dental supplies becoming a major focus during the 1960s. Under the leadership of Henry Schein's sons and later chief executive Stanley Bergman, the company pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy. The acquisition of Sullivan Dental Products and Dentrix Dental Systems in 1997 significantly expanded its dental distribution and software capabilities and helped establish Henry Schein as a leading global dental supplier. Henry Schein became a public company in 1995, listing on Nasdaq. The company used its public-market position to support further acquisitions across dental, medical, laboratory, and specialty-care markets. It has operated in dozens of countries and territories, with international expansion supported by local distributors and acquired businesses. Its dental portfolio includes brands and platforms such as Dentrix, Dentrix Ascend, DEXIS, Henry Schein One, Zahn Dental, and eAssist. Henry Schein One, created as a joint venture with Internet Brands in 2018, consolidated a range of dental software, marketing, communications, and practice-management services. The company has also expanded its medical business through acquisitions and strategic arrangements. These include North American Rescue, which supplies casualty-care products to defense and public-safety customers; Prism Medical Products and Shield Healthcare, which serve specialty and home-care markets; TriMed, which develops orthopedic devices; and Acentus, which specializes in continuous glucose-monitoring supplies. Henry Schein previously operated a substantial animal-health business, but that division was separated in 2019 and combined with Vets First Choice to create Covetrus. Henry Schein's business model is based on supplying recurring-use products to professional customers while adding technology and services that can increase customer retention and broaden its role in clinical and administrative workflows. It has invested in analytics, cloud software, artificial intelligence for dental imaging, outsourced billing, insurance-network consulting, and digital practice management. The company's charitable platform, Henry Schein Cares, supports access to oral health care, disaster response, education, community health, and professional outreach. Its sustainability initiatives include Practice Green and emissions-reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative. The company has faced legal and operational challenges, including antitrust litigation, opioid-related lawsuits, a major cyberattack reported in 2023, and scrutiny connected with its role as a large health-care distributor. Despite these issues, Henry Schein remains an active international health-care company whose principal strategic focus is the integration of distribution, professional services, and health-care technology.
History
Henry Schein traces its origins to 1932, when pharmacist Henry Schein opened a pharmacy in Queens after borrowing $500. The business gradually shifted from a local pharmacy toward professional health-care distribution. During the 1960s, it expanded into dental supplies, a move that eventually became central to the company's identity and growth strategy. Henry Schein's family leadership was important during its formative period. Marvin Schein assumed responsibility for daily operations in 1971, and Jay Schein became chief executive in 1978. After Jay Schein died in 1989, Stanley Bergman became chief executive. Bergman had joined the company in 1980 after working in accounting and eventually became chief financial officer before taking the top leadership role. His tenure was associated with international expansion, a broad acquisition program, and the development of Henry Schein as a large-scale distributor serving professional practices rather than ordinary retail consumers. The company went public in 1995, giving it additional capital and a publicly traded acquisition currency. By 1996, it had reached substantial sales and had completed numerous acquisitions. The 1997 purchase of Sullivan Dental Products was a major turning point because it strengthened the company's dental-equipment and supplies business and helped make Henry Schein the world's largest dental distributor at that time. Other 1997 acquisitions included Micro BioMedics and Dentrix Dental Systems. Dentrix gave the company an important foothold in dental practice-management software, linking its distribution business with information technology used inside dental offices. During the 2000s and 2010s, Henry Schein continued to expand through acquisitions and partnerships. The company added businesses in Europe and other international markets, while broadening its offerings across dental, medical, laboratory, and animal-health sectors. In 2004, it announced acquisitions involving demedis GmbH and Euro Dental Holding GmbH. In 2009, it formed a joint venture with Butler Animal Health Supply. That operation was later rebranded Henry Schein Animal Health and became one of the company's principal veterinary businesses. Dental technology became increasingly important. Henry Schein developed and acquired practice-management, imaging, communications, marketing, analytics, and billing solutions. The 2018 joint venture with Internet Brands created Henry Schein One, bringing several dental technology businesses into a more integrated platform. Dentrix Ascend extended the company's software offering through a cloud-based model, while later work with VideaHealth supported AI-assisted dental radiograph analysis. The company also established educational initiatives, including the Henry Schein Dental Business Institute and a digital dentistry program. Henry Schein's medical division expanded into specialty and public-safety markets. Its acquisitions included North American Rescue, a supplier of casualty-care products; Prism Medical Products, focused in part on advanced wound care; Shield Healthcare, a home-care supplier; TriMed, an orthopedic-device developer; and Acentus, a continuous glucose-monitoring supplier. These transactions broadened the company beyond traditional physician-office distribution. In 2019, Henry Schein separated its animal-health business and combined it with Vets First Choice to create Covetrus. In the 2020s, it continued acquiring dental distributors, implant businesses, software capabilities, and medical suppliers. Condor Dental, Biotech Dental, S.I.N Implant System, Midway Dental Supply, and abc dental AG were among the businesses added or acquired during this period. The company has also maintained a philanthropic and sustainability agenda through Henry Schein Cares. Programs have supported school supplies, holiday assistance, oral-health access, Special Olympics health initiatives, disaster response, and the American Dental Association's Give Kids a Smile program. In 2023, it launched Practice Green to encourage more sustainable practices in health-care offices. In 2025, its near-term and long-term emissions targets received approval from the Science Based Targets initiative. Henry Schein has faced legal and reputational challenges. It was named in antitrust proceedings involving dental distribution, although the FTC administrative judge dismissed the claims against Henry Schein in 2019. The company was also named in opioid-related litigation but was dismissed from the cited bellwether Summit County, Ohio case. In October 2023, it disclosed a major cyberattack that disrupted systems and e-commerce operations and involved the exfiltration of substantial data. Leadership succession was announced in 2025, with Stanley Bergman expected to remain chairman after leaving the CEO position and Frederick Lowery designated as his successor.
- 2025
Planned CEO transition
[1]Stanley Bergman announces his planned departure from the CEO role and continuation as chairman.
- 2023
Biotech Dental acquisition
[1]Henry Schein acquires a French provider of implants, clear aligners, and digital dental software.
- 2023
Cyberattack disrupts core systems
[1]A reported cyber incident causes several days of disruption to applications and e-commerce services.
- 2019
Animal-health business becomes Covetrus
[1]The animal-health division is separated and combined with Vets First Choice.
- 2018
Henry Schein One is formed
[1]A joint venture with Internet Brands creates an integrated dental technology platform.
- 2009
Animal-health joint venture
[1]Henry Schein and Butler Animal Health Supply launch Butler Schein Animal Health.
- 2004
European expansion
[1]Henry Schein announces acquisitions involving demedis GmbH and Euro Dental Holding GmbH.
- 1997
Sullivan Dental Products and Dentrix acquisitions
[1]The acquisitions strengthen dental distribution and add dental practice-management software.
- 1995
Nasdaq listing
[1]Henry Schein completes an initial public offering and begins trading on Nasdaq.
- 1989
Stanley Bergman becomes CEO
[1]Bergman succeeds Jay Schein and begins a long period of acquisition-led expansion.
Products and positioning
A global, one-stop health-care solutions provider combining professional distribution with practice-management software, digital clinical tools, equipment servicing, analytics, and administrative services.
Dental supplies and equipment
Dental distribution
Henry Schein distributes consumables, instruments, equipment, infection-control products, restorative materials, orthodontic products, implants, and related services to dental practices, specialists, and laboratories. This is the company's historic core business and includes both proprietary and third-party products.
Dental practice-management software · 1997
Dentrix
Dentrix is a dental practice-management software platform used for scheduling, patient records, billing, treatment planning, reporting, and related administrative workflows. It became part of Henry Schein's portfolio through the 1997 acquisition of Dentrix Dental Systems.
Cloud dental software
Dentrix Ascend
Dentrix Ascend is a browser-based dental practice-management platform. Its functions include scheduling, billing, patient records, imaging integration, and practice administration, allowing practices to use a cloud-oriented workflow rather than relying only on locally installed systems.
Dental technology platform · 2018
Henry Schein One
Henry Schein One is the company's dental technology joint venture with Internet Brands. Its portfolio has included practice-management, patient-communication, marketing, online scheduling, and related software businesses, including Dentrix, Dentrix Ascend, Demandforce, Sesame Communications, Officite, and DentalPlans.com.
Dental imaging
DEXIS
DEXIS provides digital imaging and related dental workflow tools. Its software can integrate X-ray images into patient records, supporting diagnostic review and clinical documentation in dental practices.
Dental laboratory supplies
Zahn Dental
Zahn Dental serves dental laboratories with materials, equipment, supplies, and related support. Henry Schein expanded this area through acquisitions such as Custom Automated Prosthetics, strengthening its prosthetic and laboratory offering.
Dental administrative services
eAssist
eAssist Dental Solutions provides outsourced virtual dental billing and related revenue-cycle support. Henry Schein acquired a majority ownership position in the business and later expanded its insurance-related capabilities through Unitas PPO Solutions.
Medical distribution
Henry Schein Medical
Henry Schein Medical distributes medical supplies and equipment to physician offices, specialty providers, public-safety organizations, and other professional customers. Its portfolio includes products for wound care, emergency response, home care, orthopedics, and monitoring.
Emergency and casualty care · 2019
North American Rescue
North American Rescue supplies survivability, trauma, and casualty-care products for defense, law-enforcement, emergency-response, and public-safety markets. It became part of Henry Schein's medical business through a 2019 acquisition.
Veterinary distribution and software · 2013
Henry Schein Animal Health
Henry Schein's former animal-health division supplied veterinary products and software, including tools intended to support veterinary records, communication, and data management. The division was separated in 2019 and combined with Vets First Choice to form Covetrus.
Controversies
2023
Major cyberattack and systems disruption
Henry Schein reported a major hack affecting core systems, investor information, and payroll data. The incident reportedly involved approximately 35 terabytes of exfiltrated data and caused applications and the e-commerce site to be unavailable for several days.
2019
Opioid epidemic litigation
Henry Schein was named among defendants in lawsuits brought by state and local governments concerning the United States opioid epidemic. The company was dismissed from the cited bellwether Summit County, Ohio litigation in October 2019.
2018
FTC antitrust allegations
The Federal Trade Commission accused Henry Schein, Benco Dental, and Patterson Companies of anticompetitive conduct in dental distribution. In 2019, the FTC's chief administrative law judge dismissed the claims against Henry Schein while finding violations by Benco and Patterson.
Marketing campaigns
- 2023Practice Green
International
Henry Schein launched Practice Green to encourage dental and medical professionals to adopt more sustainable operating practices.
Outcome. The initiative became part of the company's sustainability and professional-engagement agenda.
- 2018Special Olympics Healthy Athletes support
International
Henry Schein began supporting Special Olympics, particularly its Healthy Athletes program, through health-care product donations and related assistance.
Outcome. Ongoing philanthropic partnership.
- 2015Alpha Omega–Henry Schein Cares Holocaust Survivors Oral Health Program
United States · Canada
Henry Schein Cares partnered with the Alpha Omega International Dental Society to provide pro bono oral care to Holocaust survivors.
Outcome. The program had provided treatment to more than 1,600 people according to the reference material.
- 1999Holiday Cheer for Children
United States
An annual holiday initiative provides clothing, toys, and gift cards to children and families.
Outcome. The program has supported more than 20,000 children and their families during the holiday season.
- 1998Back to School
United States
Henry Schein launched a charitable program providing school supplies to underserved children.
Outcome. The program had assisted more than 65,000 students according to the reference material.
- Give Kids A Smile
United States
Henry Schein has served as an exclusive product sponsor for the American Dental Association's Give Kids A Smile program, supporting community-based children's oral-health services.
Outcome. The company reported donating more than $20 million in oral-health products and over 40,000 dental kits.
Brand decisions
2025
Announce CEO successionStrategyBackground
Stanley Bergman announced a planned transition after more than three decades leading the company.
Action taken
Bergman planned to step down as CEO at the end of 2025 while remaining chairman; Frederick Lowery was identified as his successor.
Aftermath
The succession marked a change in day-to-day leadership while preserving Bergman's continuing role as board chair.
2023
Acquire Biotech DentalM&ABackground
Henry Schein sought to expand its dental implant, clear-aligner, and digital dentistry capabilities.
Action taken
The company acquired Biotech Dental, a France-based provider of implants, clear aligners, and dental software.
Aftermath
The transaction broadened Henry Schein's position in digitally enabled dental treatment and implant solutions.
2023
Introduce Dentrix Detect AIProduct launchBackground
Dental practices were adopting artificial intelligence to assist with radiographic analysis and clinical workflows.
Action taken
Henry Schein One introduced Dentrix Detect AI through an integration with VideaHealth's FDA-cleared computer-assisted detection technology.
Aftermath
The integration added AI-assisted X-ray analysis to the Henry Schein One dental software ecosystem.
2019
Separate the animal-health divisionM&ABackground
Henry Schein determined that the animal-health business could pursue a different operating model with a veterinary technology partner.
Action taken
The company spun off its animal-health business and merged it with Vets First Choice to form Covetrus.
Aftermath
Animal health ceased to be a Henry Schein operating division, while the company concentrated more heavily on dental and medical markets.
2018
Create Henry Schein OneStrategyBackground
Dental practices were increasingly adopting integrated software for administration, communications, marketing, and clinical workflows.
Action taken
Henry Schein formed a joint venture with Internet Brands to combine and develop dental technology businesses.
Aftermath
The joint venture became a central platform for Dentrix, Dentrix Ascend, Demandforce, Sesame Communications, Officite, and other dental technology offerings.
1997
Acquire Sullivan Dental Products and Dentrix Dental SystemsM&ABackground
Henry Schein was expanding its dental distribution business and seeking complementary technology capabilities.
Action taken
The company acquired Sullivan Dental Products and Dentrix Dental Systems, while also acquiring Micro BioMedics.
Aftermath
The transactions made Henry Schein the world's largest distributor of dental equipment and supplies at the time and gave it a significant dental software position.
Recent events
Reported
Henry Schein acquires 70% of eAssist Dental Solutions[2]
Henry Schein acquired a 70% ownership position in eAssist Dental Solutions. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Reported
Henry Schein One acquires Elite Computer Italia[3]
Henry Schein announced that Henry Schein One had acquired Elite Computer Italia, an Italian dental practice management software company. The acquisition marks Henry Schein’s entry into the Italian dental practice management software market.
Sources3 sources
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