Glenn,

Too bad someone is spreading this kind of junk.

In the time I have known you, you have always been very upfront about your affiliations and I think anyone that visits here knows that. You were one of the 1st to post your affiliations in your profile here and Hoya is fortunate to have you as a laser user. I think your interest in advancing laser dentistry, as a whole, is also obvious.

I have never been asked to speak (or promised anything for promoting a certain product) so I can’t comment on what is ‘UCR’ for speaking.  Although, as a  result of some recent emails I have  received lately,  I think someone might be considering paying me to keep my mouth shut !

Anyway, keep up the good work- those who really matter, know the truth.

Glenn,
I sure am glad you cleared that up!!!I feel so much better.
It is unfortunate that in dentistry today there is a group of lecturers that have frankly been bought out . They will promote whatever gets them the most return.
It really hurts the lecturers that are out to advance our profession.
All anyone has to do is read your posts and talk with you to realize that you are truthful and sencere.
David
PS. Instead of sending cash this time can you get me that discount on the scope?

I’m not getting paid by anyone, but would love to get in on that action! If anyone wants to give me something for speaking on lasers. . .I can be bought! 😉 How’s that for honest and open disclosure!
Al B

Dear Glenn,

Let’s see.  How have thee been slighted, demeaned, disparaged, defamed, disrespected, discriminated against, devalued, demotivated, and dismissed over the years?  Let me count the ways.  NOT!  

These are cheap shots by cheap people who get more shrill, the more desperate they become in the face of a person with integrity who offers reason over emotion.  Fuget a’bout it.  It’s not worth it.  But it is worth defending one’s integrity when one is directly defamed!

To answer your question:

As someone who has been paid, compensated, reimbursed, etc in this industry over the past 13 years, and now as someone who is now paying and compensating others,  I think I can offer fair comment.

First let me say that I have spent a fair amount of time visiting with Glenn, and he and I have discussed his compensation for his lectures and the like, as we explored the possibilities of one day his using a PerioLase MVP-7.  Everything Glenn has ever discussed with me is exactly what he has represented in his frequent and most public written disclosures.  MDT and I have offered to loan Glenn an MVP-7 at some appropriate time in the future as part of our introduction to Canada, and Glenn has been receptive to the idea.  Del and I discussed the introduction of the MVP-7 into Canada through a distributor, and Glenn expressed a mutual desire to talk about it after some experience with it.  MDT, Del and I have invited Glenn to speak at our User’s group meeting Feb 13, 14 2004, and he has graciously accepted.  At no time, since I have known Glenn in any of these discussions did the subject of “kick-backs”, or percentage commission from sales he might be associated with ever enter the discussions–even in jest.

There isn’t anyone I have met in all of dentistry that has more integrity than Glenn.  He is in person what all of see in his posts–personable, honorable, humorous, honest, forthright and truthful.  If Glenn tells me something is so, I’m gonna believe it.

As far as UCR for lecturing goes, I’ve seen quite a range of arrangements.

When one is asked to give a day lecture out of town:

1.  Expenses for any travel, hotel, meals–sometimes that can include the spouse or kids.
2.  Usually an honorarium is paid for “named” speakers that can range from &#36250 to &#362500 or more, depending on the reputation of the speaker.
3.  Often a daily stipend if the trip is overseas or for an extended time out of the office like a week.
4.  Occasionally gifts by the company are given in appreciation for exceptional work.

Sometimes a “finder’s fee” is paid if such an arrangement is worked out and agreed to by the parties, but that is separate from lecturing and is usually spread out over many different people.

Any and all of these payment arrangements, except for expense reimbursements, can be taken as a “draw” against a company account that can be applied towards products, devices, peripherals and the like.

Sometimes, a discount for a laser system is given by the company to a lecturer, but not anymore than a discount given to other people the company deems worthy for a show of appreciation or affiliation.

In my past years as a lecturer for other companies, I never received a kick-back or a % of the sales I was involved with.  In retrospect, maybe I should have asked for it.  Heck, I deserved it, and someone was making lots of money off my efforts.  But back then, as I’m sure many are now, I was just happy to be talking to other dentists about the exciting stuff I was doing, while getting some of my expenses paid.  Eventually, I realized, I could earn more money practicing than teaching or lecturing, so I cut waaay back.  (And starting a laser manufacturing company is NO way to make a living or any money–that’s why I still practice, well not really…..I love to practice.)

But when you think about such an allegation against Glenn from a manufacturer’s standpoint, what percentage of sale would you pay a lecturer to make it worth his while?  Sales reps are paid anywhere from 10 to 15% for capital equipment.  They get that % in order to feed their families.  The company isn’t going to pay and additional percentage or “override” on top of that percent–not for very long.  And how many sales reps are going to split-commissions–again for very long?  And who wants to orchestrate that in management.  I’m not saying it isn’t done, or isn’t administered, but it would be a pain–and only worth the efforts for a couple lecturers or a few “producers”.  And maybe that’s where the criticism is coming from–those that actually have such an arrangement.  Like my Dad still says, “It takes one to know one.”  But in this case, they don’t know Mike….I mean Glenn.

Consider the source…….

All the best,

Bob

Glenn,
I agree with Ken, for the most part, your posts don’t disparrage between different companies products, but as to the clinical application being used to either teach us, or for you to gain wisdom from others on your posts. If it was from someone I know, email me privately, if you want to, and we can dispell the rumor mill.

As for myself, like Bob says, I get an honorarium from Biolase, ONLY when I am speaking for THEM. I have NEVER received a % of sales. That is something I DON’T EVER have a need for. I represent what I believe, and what I bought, as I have paid IN FULL for my lasers. As far as other lectures/classes/seminars, as you, I get whatever I can negotiate for. There is so much politics invovled in the laser industry right now, I can’t believe it. Now, if I am off base, I sure don’t seem to see it with Bob and Del! So far, it is what has led me to start saving up for a Periolase, because of what they seem to represent. I have no time for the other “stuff”.

In closing, Glenn, you are one of the top men in our field, thanks for sharing, caring, and I ask you to keep up your great work. On a side note, I got a chance to work with a scope and a Waterlase, real cool! My 6x loupes are great, but the higher mag. has a real place in microdentistry. We will talk soon. Hope to see you in SF.

Sincerely,
Mark