UPDATE 1-Henry Schein Q2 profit up; maintains '08 outlook

(Recasts; adds details, CFO comment)

BANGALORE Aug 5 (Reuters) - Medical products supplier Henry Schein Inc (HSIC.O) posted a 20 percent rise in quarterly profit, beating market estimates, helped by strong sales in its dental and international segments.

The company reported second-quarter net income of $65.5 million, or 71 cents a share, compared with $54.4 million, or 60 cents a share, a year ago.

Net sales rose 19 percent to $1.64 billion.

Analysts were expecting earnings of 68 cents a share, on revenue of $1.58 billion, according to Reuters Estimates.

International group sales rose nearly 56 percent to $615 million. Dental Group sales of $660 million increased 10 percent.

A small piece of the company's dental business that was impacted by the economy included some cosmetic as well as high-end procedures, and those that are not eligible for reimbursements, Chief Financial Officer Steven Paladino told Reuters.

The Melville, New York-based company maintained its 2008 earnings forecast of $2.93 to $3.00 a share. It still expects to distribute 12 million to 15 million doses of flu vaccine during the year.

"There is always opportunities for us, that we have, that potentially could put us at the high end or above that range," Paladino said.

Analysts were expecting 2008 earnings of $2.96 a share, excluding special items.

Shares of the company had closed at $53.47 Monday on Nasdaq. (Reporting by Aradhana Aravindan and Esha Dey in Bangalore; Editing by Amitha Rajan)