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Oral Pathology
For over 50 years, UConn Health has been home to the only continuous Oral Pathology Biopsy and Clinical Service in the State of Connecticut. Our providers are board-certified surgical pathologists and clinical diagnosticians. We review approximately 4,000 surgical specimens annually. Our oral pathologists are Diplomates of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (ABOMP), Fellows of the American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology, and have extensive training in the clinical, radiographic, and histological interpretation of lesions occurring in the oral/head and neck area. Because of their educational focus, specialty training, and experience, our oral pathologists are able to apply relevant clinicopathologic correlations to help ensure accurate diagnoses and recommendations for disease management based on contemporary standards of care. Significantly, as members of an academic medical center, we provide you and your patients with an oral diagnostic service based on the latest research and innovations in healthcare.
Our Services
Oral Pathology Biopsy Service
Our service will promptly review and interpret your biopsy samples. Tissue specimens submitted to us are processed by the CAP certified histotechnology team housed in the Anatomic Pathology and Cytology Services suite. This allows us to provide a broad range of tissue diagnostic services, including conventional histopathologic interpretation, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence analyses. Biopsy specimens are read and diagnosed by Drs. Natarajan and Ward, board-certified pathologists. Our goal is to provide timely, accurate, and reliable diagnoses to assist you in providing excellent care for your patients. Please use the biopsy service form provided.
Submitting Specimens
We provide our contributors with tissue preservation and transport supplies at no cost. To improve the efficiency and reliability of the specimen submission process, we provide a pre-paid FedEx 2-day service. On request, we will send our providers pre-paid FedEx mailing labels, transport boxes, and FedEx envelopes for delivery of surgical biopsy specimens. A special transport medium (Zeus fixative) for specimens requiring immunofluorescence testing is also available at no cost to you. Please contact Ms. Rosetta Poreda, Oral Pathology Service Manager, at 860-679-3333, poreda@uchc.edu, or fax us at 860-679-3765, and we will provide the necessary supplies for your specimens and assist in making arrangements for their submission. We participate in most major insurance plans as well as Medicare and Medicaid. A complete list is available upon request.
For instructions on requesting supplies and submitting biopsies, please refer to the biopsy specimen submission document.
Biopsy Reporting/Consultations
Diagnoses are generally made within 5 days of the specimen’s arrival in our laboratory and will be automatically faxed to your office. Upon request, we will email copies of reports directly to your office. Once you have received the pathology report, our pathologists are available for further consultation or to discuss management options and follow-up care. We also provide diagnostic consultations for second opinions on microscopic glass slides from other hospitals or labs.
Clinical Oral Pathology Service - Consultations/Referrals
Drs. Natarajan, Ward, and Eisenberg see patients on referral for clinical diagnostic evaluation and management of lesions of the oral mucosa. Appointments for clinical consultation/evaluation can be made by faxing a completed referral form from the dentist or physician’s office to University Dentists: Fax 860-679-3201; Phone 860-679-3170. You may also email your referrals to universitydentists@uchc.edu. Please ensure that the form contains the patient’s contact information. Once the fax is received, our schedulers will contact patients to arrange for an appointment. Please use the consultation referral form provided.
Educational Contributions
Since its inception, the UConn Health Oral Pathology Service service has played a vital role in the pre- and postdoctoral educational programs of the School of Dental Medicine, School of Medicine, and The Graduate School. Our pathologists contribute actively to educational programs at UConn Health in Connecticut and nationally. The clinical and biopsy services have served as a reference laboratory for key intra- and extramural collaborative research efforts. The corresponding research projects have not only contributed significantly to the expansion of the body of knowledge of oral diseases but have also served to forge ongoing productive, collegial relationships between UConn and other institutions committed to patient care, research, and lifelong learning.
Our Team
Contact Us
Biopsy Service
Please contact Ms. Rosetta Poreda, office manager, to obtain supplies and prepaid mailing supplies. She will also be happy to provide additional information or answer questions about our service.
Phone: 860-679-3333
Fax: 860-679-3765
Email: poreda@uchc.edu
Clinical Oral Pathology Service
For clinical consultations with Drs. Natarajan, Ward, or Eisenberg, call 860-679-3170. Completed clinical consultation forms with patient contact information may be faxed to 860-679-3201 or emailed to universitydentists@uchc.edu.