Helping the Smile Makers: CDAF and Sullivan-Schein Dental Partner to Help Bring Necessary Dental Equipment to California's Underserved Communities.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 12, 2003

Applications are now available from the CDAF for eligible nonprofit

dental groups to apply for free dental equipment

and supplies to help increase access to care

To increase much needed access to dental care for California's underserved communities, the California Dental Association Foundation (CDAF) has partnered with Sullivan-Schein Dental, a Henry Schein, Inc. company (Nasdaq:HSIC), to launch an innovative program that provides a variety of dental supplies to nonprofit organizations and clinics that serve at-risk populations in California's communities.

The program, called the Equipment and Supplies Grant Program, is a collaboration with Henry Schein's global corporate citizenship initiative, Henry Schein Cares(TM), which works to help narrow the disparity in healthcare access and delivery to underserved communities in the United States and abroad. Through Henry Schein Cares, a variety of dental equipment and products are donated to the CDAF for annual distribution to selected recipient clinics during the two-year program cycle. At the conclusion of each donation cycle, new clinics are selected to receive product donations based on several factors, including the size of the community served and the group's commitment to serving at-risk individuals.

This year the CDAF recently awarded the following inaugural recipients:

-- Open Door Community Health Centers (Arcata, CA)

-- Del Norte Clinics, Inc. (Yuba City, CA)

-- Mendocino Coast Clinics (Ft. Bragg, CA)

-- Long Valley Health Center, Inc. (Laytonville, CA)

"We are excited to partner with Henry Schein, whose corporate citizenship program, Henry Schein Cares(TM), has made this donation program possible," said Jon Roth, CAE, and Executive Director of CDAF. "The Equipment and Supplies program is a tremendous help to administrators and providers of oral healthcare to the state's underserved populations, and we strongly value our partnership with Henry Schein Cares, which has helped nonprofit organizations in California leverage their operating expenses in order to increase access to oral healthcare."

More than 70 nonprofit public and private organizations statewide submitted grant requests. Many of the organizations considered were federally qualified health centers or were organizations in health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) and dental professional shortage areas (DPSAs).

"Dental disease affects millions of adults, seniors and children every year, and this program represents Henry Schein Cares' commitment to increasing oral healthcare access and delivery to California's underserved," said Steve Kess, Vice President, Henry Schein. "As California is one of the country's largest states in terms of size, population and diversity, we at Team Schein strongly value our partnership with the California Dental Association, and its Foundation, for its commitment to increasing access to oral care and serving the full spectrum of the state's population. We are also grateful for the support of our many strategic vendor partners and the more than 7,400 Team Schein Members, whose dedication to Henry Schein Cares has made this program possible."

Applications and program information for the upcoming 2004-2006 funding cycle are available on the Foundation's web page www.cdafoundation.org under the "Grant Making" tab. Application filing deadline is February 27, 2004 with recipient selections completed by May 2004.

The CDA Foundation, with its extensive network of relationships, serves as a gatekeeper into California dental care clinics for Sullivan-Schein Dental. This promotes a more effective approach for Sullivan-Schein Dental and expands the Foundation's ability to assist community clinics and organizations serving diverse client populations. Both organizations share a commitment to improving access to care for underserved populations, particularly children.

About The California Dental Association

The California Dental Association (CDA) is the nonprofit organization representing organized dentistry in California. Founded in 1870, CDA is the largest and most high profile constituent of the American Dental Association. CDA contributes to the dental health of consumers in California through various comprehensive programs aimed at improving dental health. CDA's membership consists of more than 19,000 dentists. For more information, visit www.cda.org.

About Henry Schein, Inc.

Henry Schein, Inc. is the largest distributor of healthcare products and services to office-based healthcare practitioners in the combined North American and European markets. Recognized for its excellent customer service and low prices, the Company serves more than 400,000 customers worldwide, including dental practices and laboratories, physician practices and veterinary clinics, as well as government and other institutions.

Headquartered in Melville, New York, Henry Schein employs over 7,400 people in 16 countries. The Company's 2002 sales reached a record $2.8 billion. For more information, visit the Henry Schein Website at www.henryschein.com.