Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Laboratory

Oral Biopsy and Consultation Services

The UT Health San Antonio Oral Biopsy and Consultation Services offers a comprehensive service that processes specimens from the oral cavity and the head and neck region. Our board-certified pathologists are recognized leaders in the field, providing complete oral histopathologic diagnostic services and clinical oral consultations for referring providers.

Oral Pathology Faculty

Anne C. Jones, DDS
Distinguished Teaching Professor
210-567-4122
jonesac@uthscsa.edu

Juliana Robledo, DDS
Assistant Professor/Clinical
210-567-4077
Email: robledoj@uthscsa.edu

Dr. Robledo received a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, College of Dentistry, Bogota, Columbia in 1995 and completed residency training in Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology in 2002 at University of Florida College of Dentistry in Gainesville, FL. Dr. Robledo completed her Head and Neck Surgical Pathology Fellowship training in 2003 at University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio.  She became a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial in 2003. Dr. Robledo has been in private practice for 14 years before joining The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in January of 2021.

Oral Biopsy Service

  • Full range of sophisticated laboratory techniques.
  • Pre-paid Oral Biopsy kits:
    o   10% neutral buffered formalin specimen vial (white lid)
    o   Biohazard Bag with front pocket and absorbent pad
    o   Oral Pathology request form
    o   Michel’s solution specimen vial (green lid) for direct immunofluorescence studies are available upon request.
    o   Courier service (local)
    o   Pre-paid FedEx (Clinical Pak) envelopes
    o   Call or Email Oral Pathology Division office to request oral biopsy supplies
    Phone: 210-567-6599
    Email: STRLClientServices@uthscsa.edu
  • 24 hour Turn Around Time – within 24 hours of soft tissue specimen receipt, with exceptions for hard tissue and special studies.
  • Results sent via customer preference: E-mail, Fax, or Mail.
  • Consultation with Pathologist.
  • Fees billed directly to patient or their medical insurance provider.
  • Most medical insurance carriers accepted.
  • Accept Medicare and Medicaid
    o   New referring physicians will need to enroll in PECOS as an ordering/referring physician. PECOS stands for Provider, Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System.  It is a database where physicians register with the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS). CMS developed PECOS as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
  • The department does not process microbiologic specimens for culture or cytology specimens.

Submission of Oral Biopsy for Routine Histology

  1. Use the Pre-paid specimen containers which includes a vial of 10% Neutral Buffered Formalin.
    *NOTE* All specimen vials have appropriate warning labels concerning formaldehyde. It is the respon
    sibility of the client to ensure that the specimens are shipped in the accordance to Hazardous Material Regulations codified in the Title 49 code of Federal Regulations.
  2. Place specimen in the vial of 10% neutral buffered formalin (white lid).
  3. Label all specimen vials with patient name, patient date of birth, specimen site or laterality, and clinician’s name.
  4. Fill in all information on the oral request form including the patient information, billing/insurance information, clinical information, clinician information. Then place the requisition form in the mailing tube or in front sleeve of the biohazard bag with the specimen.

Submission of Oral biopsies for Immunofluorescence

  1. Place specimen in the vial of Immunofluorescent Michel’s Transport Medium (green lid).
  2. Label all specimen containers with patient name, patient date of birth, specimen site or laterality, and clinician’s name.
  3. Fill in all information on the oral request form including the patient information, billing/insurance information, clinical information, clinician information. Then place the requisition form in the mailing tube or in front sleeve of the biohazard bag with the specimen.

Contact Information

UT Health San Antonio
Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Services—Room 344B-MED
7703 Floyd Curl Dr.
San Antonio, Texas 78229
Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m.—5:00 p.m.
Phone:  210-567-6681 or 210-567-6599
Email: STRLClientServices@uthscsa.edu