9.06.2005 ET

(CSRwire) MELVILLE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 6, 2005--Recent reports from the U.S. Census Bureau estimate that Americans spend about $6 billion in family clothing stores and $2 billion in bookstores, all to equip children to go back to school. But each year, thousands of less fortunate children are left of out of this summer shopping spree, facing the prospect of returning to the classroom in old clothing with a shortage of supplies.

For eight consecutive years, Henry Schein's Back-to-School Program has been helping to bridge this gap, with the Company filling backpacks with school supplies and Team Schein Members purchasing terrific new first-day outfits to make children feel great when they step back in the classroom. During that time, the initiative has helped more than 3,100 less fortunate children ages 5-18 on Long Island and in other Company locations.

The program began in 1998 in Melville, N.Y., where Henry Schein (NASDAQ:HSIC), the largest distributor of healthcare products and services to office-based practitioners in the combined North American and European markets, is headquartered. That year, the Company furnished clothing and school supplies to 75 children, working with local social service organizations to identify the recipients. Since then, the program has expanded and this year included New York, Virginia, Florida, Nevada, South Carolina and Wisconsin, where nearly 1000 children benefited from the Back-to-School Program. The Company's support is part of its global corporate citizenship program, Henry Schein Cares.

"Our annual Back-to-School program stands out among the many worthy programs we support," said Gerry Benjamin, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for Henry Schein. "It reflects our steadfast commitment to our communities and enables us to immediately see the real impact we can make in a child's life by providing a few simple things. Our Team Schein Members contribute their own money and free time to shop for school necessities, fill the backpacks, and distribute them to children who are our neighbors. It is a unique experience that enriches the lives of everyone involved."

Each sponsored child receives a stylish new back-to-school outfit, including shoes, socks, pants or skirts, shirts, and undergarments. In addition, children receive a backpack filled with school supplies, hygiene products, and other items to make their first day of school happy, stress-free and enjoyable.

"Henry Schein's Back-to-School Program is a valuable initiative that helps boost the self esteem and confidence of less fortunate children at an important time," said Sharon Markman, Director of Development for Family Service League, one of Suffolk County, New York's largest social services networks. "Helping children to better fit in with their peer group at school allows them to concentrate their energy on achievement in the classroom. And self esteem that is established at an early age can help children steer away from many of the potential problems they may encounter as they mature."

In addition to donations by Team Schein Members and contributions from the Company, Henry Schein has inspired numerous other local businesses and Henry Schein vendors to provide valuable support for the 2005 Back-to-School program. The Company also has been honored by the Suffolk County Task Force to Prevent Family Violence with an award for its ongoing efforts to improve the lives of family and children in Suffolk County, and recently ranked number one amongst its peers for social responsibility on Fortune Magazine's Most Admired Survey.

About Henry Schein and Henry Schein Cares
Henry Schein, a Fortune 500(R) company, is recognized for its excellent customer service and highly competitive prices. The Company's four business groups -- Dental, Medical, International and Technology -- serve more than 475,000 customers worldwide, including dental practices and laboratories, physician practices and veterinary clinics, as well as government and other institutions. The Company's sales reached a record $4.1 billion in 2004. The Company operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, which provides customers in more than 125 countries with a comprehensive selection of over 160,000 national and Henry Schein private-brand products.

Henry Schein also offers a wide range of innovative value-added practice solutions, including such leading practice management software systems as DENTRIX(R) and Easy Dental(R) for dental practices, and AVImark(R) for veterinary clinics, which are installed in over 50,000 practices; and ArubA(R), Henry Schein's electronic catalog and ordering system. Henry Schein employs nearly 11,000 people and has operations in 19 countries. Henry Schein Cares is the cornerstone of the Company's multifaceted and coordinated social responsibility program. The mission of Henry Schein Cares is to assist in narrowing the disparity in the delivery of healthcare services and information in underserved communities, both in the United States and abroad, by providing resources to support the programs of community-based healthcare professionals and their organizations. For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at
www.henryschein.com.

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