Last Updated
Case Status
Closed
In the Matter of Benco Dental Supply Company, a corporation; Henry Schein, Inc., a corporation; and Patterson Companies, Inc., a corporation
FTC Matter/File Number
151 0190
Docket Number
9379
Case Summary
The Federal Trade Commission issued an administrative complaint alleging that Benco, Henry Schein and Patterson, the nation's three largest dental supply companies, violated U.S. antitrust laws by conspiring to refuse to provide discounts to or otherwise serve buying groups representing dental practitioners. These buying groups sought lower prices for dental supplies and equipment on behalf of solo and small-group dental practices seeking to gain discounts by aggregating and leveraging the collective purchasing power and bargaining skills of the individual practices. The complaint also alleges an FTC Act Section 5 violation against Benco for inviting a fourth competing distributor to join the conspiracy.