Henry Schein Dental Launches Total Health™ Beyond the Mouth

MELVILLE, N.Y., Nov. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry Schein, Inc. (Nasdaq: HSIC), the largest provider of health care products and services to office-based practitioners, today announced the launch of its Total Health™ Beyond the Mouth program, an integrated wellness and education program that informs patients of the integral link between oral health and total health, and assists dental professionals in uncovering potential systemic health problems, including periodontal disease, oral cancer, sleep disorders, heart disease, and diabetes.  Henry Schein Dental's Total Health Beyond the Mouth program was developed in collaboration with the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health, an organization of health care leaders and health professionals dedicated to the relationship of oral health and whole body health.

Henry Schein Dental's Total Health Beyond the Mouth includes the Total Health Checklist, which, together with screening and diagnostics, assists dental professionals in assessing a patient's oral health, its impact on their total health, and uncovering health problems.  After completing the checklist, patients are given the Total Health Brochure, a powerful educational tool about the integral relationship between oral health and total health, the significance of periodontal disease, and the close links between other health conditions and oral health.  If any potential issues are uncovered through the dental team's review of the checklist, the patient is provided with a laminated Total Health Patient Guide in preparation for a health discussion following treatment, including a discussion of further screening and treatment options.  For example, should a potential case of sleep apnea be uncovered through the Total Health process, further screening and treatment could include Henry Schein Sleep Complete, the turnkey solution that delivers all of the information and products necessary for the successful implementation of dental sleep medicine in the dental practice.

"The strong link between oral health and overall health is becoming increasingly recognized, and it is clear that preventative oral health care is an essential building block to one's health and well-being," said Tim Sullivan, President of Henry Schein Dental.  "Our Total Health Beyond the Mouth program not only provides a helpful tool in assisting dental professionals in uncovering serious health problems and improving the overall health of their patients, but it also educates patients about the oral systemic connection, invigorates the dental practice with new wellness services, and reinforces the value of preventative and regular oral care."

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 78 percent of adults have some form of periodontal disease.  Only three percent of adults with periodontal disease seek treatment, according to the American Academy of Periodontology. The Journal of Periodontology notes that an investment in preventative periodontal health saves patients money in the long run, with health care costs for patients with severe periodontal disease 21 percent higher on average than for those for patients without.

About Henry Schein, Inc.
Henry Schein, Inc. (NASDAQ: HSIC), the largest provider of health care products and services to office-based practitioners, is a Fortune 500® company and a member of the NASDAQ 100® Index.  The Company is recognized for its excellent customer service and highly competitive prices.  Henry Schein's five businesses – Dental, Medical, Animal Health, International and Technology – serve more than 700,000 customers worldwide, including dental practitioners and laboratories, physician practices and animal health practices, as well as government and other institutions.  The Company operates through a centralized and automated distribution network, which provides customers in more than 200 countries with a comprehensive selection of more than 90,000 national and Henry Schein private-brand products in stock, as well as more than 100,000 additional products available as special-order items.  Henry Schein also provides exclusive, innovative technology offerings for dental, medical and veterinary professionals, including value-added practice management software and electronic health record solutions.

Headquartered in Melville, N.Y., Henry Schein employs more than 14,000 people and has operations or affiliates in 25 countries.  The Company's net sales reached a record $7.5 billion in 2010.  For more information, visit the Henry Schein Web site at www.henryschein.com. 

SOURCE Henry Schein, Inc.