Biopsy service and orders
The Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Diagnostic Service is open and fully operational for biopsy examinations and for autoclave spore strip testing. Supporting information for your submitted biopsies (clinical photos and radiographs) can be securely emailed to oralpath@vcu.edu as this site is also actively monitored.
The histopathology laboratory, which was started in 1949, currently serves more than 1000 practitioners from 25 states and is one of the largest of its kind in the United States. Each biopsy specimen is reviewed by multiple oral and maxillofacial pathologists who are Diplomates of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and full-time faculty members at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry.
After ordering one or more biopsy kits, the Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Diagnostic Service will supply specimen bottles, mailing envelopes, history forms and postage paid return labels at no charge to the requesting practitioner. Upon arrival, the specimen is prepared for overnight processing and is histologically examined the following business day.
The biopsy report includes patient information, clinical impression, histologic description, diagnosis, appropriate comments and ICD code. If you have a fax number, we can fax the report, or if you wish to be called, we will call you. When an explanation of a diagnosis or its implications will assist the clinician in patient care, one of the pathologists will call with the information. A short delay may be necessary in cases which require decalcification, additional slides, or special stains.
The insurance information provided by your office on the history form is forwarded to the VCU School of Dentistry, which will then either bill the insurance company or the patient.