Industry Payments in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: A Review of 112,448 Payments From a National Disclosure Program

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to characterize the sources, amounts, and nature of general industry payments to oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMSs).

Materials and methods: The Open Payments database was searched from August 2013 to December 2017 for all general payments made to OMSs. For each payment, data were recorded regarding the date, value, paying organization, and nature of the payment. Analyses of variance were performed to compare payment amount per surgeon, number of payments per surgeon, and amount per payment across payment years.

Results: Overall, there were 112,448 payments totaling $28,644,063.20. Although, on average each year, 69% of OMSs received at least 1 payment, the top 10% of earners accounted for 89% ($25,607,781) of all payments. Each OMS received a median total of $93.75 (interquartile range, $33 to $263) and an average of $1,109.68 (SD, $14,297; range, $2-$2,250,345) per year. The mean payment value was $254.73 (SD, $2,727; range, $0.01-$548,126) compared with a median of $28.90 (interquartile range, $15-$82). Most payments were in the form of food and beverage (72%); however, the most dollars were spent on consulting fees ($5,594,087; 20%). From 2014 to 2016, significant decreases occurred in the payment amounts (P < .01) and number of payments (P < .01) per surgeon, as well as the value of each payment (P < .01).

Conclusions: Although OMSs receive a substantial amount of industry payments, the overall figure is driven by a small percentage of top earners. Most individual payments were of nominal value, and their effect on clinical practice remains to be seen.