Comprehensive Income - Total Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018	Sep. 28, 2019	Sep. 29, 2018
Comprehensive Income Net Of Applicable Taxes [Abstract]
Comprehensive income attributable to Henry Schein, Inc.	$ 85,075	$ 113,221	$ 324,809	$ 313,326
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	3,924	2,478	7,280	2,097
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Redeemable noncontrolling interests	(1,642)	431	5,932	3,267
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 87,357	$ 116,130	$ 338,021	$ 318,690

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
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