Henry Schein Q3 dental sales up 2.5%

Better-than-expected North American dental sales helped boost Henry Schein's third-quarter financials for 2011.

For the quarter (end-September 24), net sales were $2.1 billion, an increase of 11.5% over net sales of $1.7 billion for the third quarter of 2010.

Net income attributable to Henry Schein was $92 million, an increase of 4.6% over net income of $87.9 million for the same quarter a year ago.

North American dental sales were $682.4 million for the quarter, up 2.5% over dental sales in the third quarter of 2010.

"Growth in sales of dental consumable merchandise is slightly ahead of our estimate for market growth and we believe reflects consistent patient traffic to dental offices," stated Stanley Bergman in a press release. "Dental equipment sales were impacted by a cautious environment for capital equipment purchases. However, as we entered the fourth quarter, our dental equipment order book was significantly stronger than it had been entering the third quarter."