Oral Pathology Biopsy Service

For over 30 years, UConn Health Center has been home to the only Oral Pathology Biopsy Service in the State of Connecticut. We review approximately 4,300 specimens annually. Our oral pathologists are board-certified Diplomates of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, 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 in contemporary standards of care. Significantly, as members of an academic medical center we provide you and your patients an oral diagnostic service based in the latest research and innovations in health care.

Our Faculty

Ellen Eisenberg, D.M.D., graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. She completed a residency in oral medicine and oral pathology at Harvard University School of Dental Medicine with a clinical fellowship sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Dr. Eisenberg is chair of the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, director of the Oral Pathology Biopsy Service, and professor of Oral Health & Diagnostic Sciences. She is board-certified in oral pathology and is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology. Dr. Eisenberg also sees patients referred for diagnosis and management of oral soft tissue and jaw lesions, with emphasis on mucous membrane diseases, oral cancer and precancerous lesions.

Easwar Natarajan, B.D.S., D.M.Sc., graduated from Bangalore University, India. He graduated with a Doctor of Medical Sciences degree from Harvard University and completed a residency at Harvard in oral and maxillofacial pathology. Dr. Natarajan is assistant professor in residence in the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Department of Oral Health and Diagnostic Sciences. He is board-certified in oral pathology and is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. Dr. Natarajan is part of the Oral Pathology Biopsy Service, and sees patients referred for diagnosis and management of oral soft tissue and jaw lesions. His research interests include studying molecular mechanisms in the progression of epithelial neoplasia with a focus on extracellular matrix protein biology and cell cycle regulation.

Services Provided

Our service will promptly review and interpret your biopsy samples. We are housed in the same suite with both the Anatomic Pathology and Cytology Services and are fully supported by their histotechnology team. This allows us to provide a broad range of tissue diagnostic services including conventional histopathologic interpretation, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence analyses. Our goal is to provide timely, accurate and reliable diagnoses to assist you in providing excellent care for your patients.

Submitting Specimens

We offer free courier pick up of specimens as well as provide postage-free mailers. Pick-up service can be arranged on a regular basis from your office or from pick-up boxes usually located outside the front door of your office. In addition, we can pick up on an “as needed” basis. Special transport medium for specimens requiring immunofluorescence testing is also available at no cost to you. Please contact Ms. Izabela Rak, Oral Pathology Service Manager, at 860-679-3333 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.

Reporting/Consultations

Diagnoses are generally made within 24 hours of the specimen’s arrival in our laboratory, and will be automatically faxed to your office. Upon request we will send hard copies of the report directly to your office. Once you have received the pathology report, our experts are available for further consultation or to discuss treatment options and follow-up care.

We also provide diagnostic consultations for second opinions on microscopic glass slides from other hospitals or labs.

Clinical Consultations/Referrals

Drs. Eisenberg and Natarajan see patients on referral for clinical diagnostic evaluation and management of lesions of the oral mucosa and jaws. Appointments for clinical consultation/evaluation can be made by faxing a referral from the dentist or physician to the University Dentists clinic: fax 860-679-8162; telephone 860-679-3170. Once the fax is received, patients will be contacted promptly to arrange for an appointment.

Educational Contributions

Since their inception, the Oral Pathology Laboratory and the Clinical Oral Pathology service have played vital roles in the pre-and postdoctoral educational programs of the Schools of Dental Medicine, Medicine and the Graduate School. They remain richly active and integral sources of both teaching and investigative material for the study of diseases of the oral and maxillofacial region. The Biopsy service also has served as the 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 research and lifelong learning.