Microscopic Diagnosis Service

The division of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology is the School’s referral center for the microscopic diagnosis of oral diseases. Only specimens from the School’s clinics or those at the Dental Health Center at 930 Commonwealth Avenue are accepted for microscopic interpretation. Clinicians with questions about submitting specimens may call the department at 8-4775.

Biopsy submission forms, fixatives, and packaging materials are available on request. Turnaround for biopsies is usually within 48 hours from receipt of the specimen to the faxing of the final pathology report. For unusual or urgent cases, telephone discussion of the findings is offered in addition to the report.

Close affiliation with Boston Medical Center’s Mallory Institute of Pathology allows the service to include special histochemical, immunofluorescence, and immunoperoxidase techniques when indicated; specialty consultations in other pathology disciplines are readily available through the Mallory Institute.

Pathology departments at other institutions may request consultations on problem cases in oral and maxillofacial pathology. A consultation case should include a clinical summary of the patient’s presenting condition, copies of relevant radiographs, and representative microscopic slides. The material will be evaluated promptly and returned, if so desired, along with a report. Consultation material may be sent directly to:

Boston University School of Dental Medicine
Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology
100 East Newton Street G-02
Boston, MA 02118-2392
Phone: 617-638-4775
Fax: 617-638-4697