I do not have any formalin in the office, what solution can I use in the mean time?

You can place the biopsy in ethanol, (grain alcohol, or vodka).  Please do not put in isopropyl alcohol since this will damage the tissues. Please note on the requisition that you used ethanol and we will place it into formalin once it arrives.

How do I obtain biopsy jars, cytology kits and Michele’s Solution?

You can call us at 519-661-2111 ext 86402, email us at opds-uwo@uwo.ca, or fax the request for biopsy kit form to 519-850-2926.

Is there a cost for biopsy jars?

No, the cost is included in the biopsy fee.

How do I get my biopsy to your service?

We recommend that you send your biopsy in a bubble wrapped envelope to prevent breakage of the envelope and loss of the specimen.  We also recommend sending it by Courier (Fedex, Purolator, UPS, ICS) or Express Post to prevent any delays, but regular mail is also acceptable. It is not uncommon for biopsies to take two weeks to arrive when sent regular mail.  You are responsible for the cost of mailing the biopsy to us.

Please send your biopsy to:

Oral Pathology Diagnostic Service
Western University
1151 Richmond St.
HSA, Room 415 – Dock 15
London, ON N6A 5C1

How do I mail specimens in the cold winter weather?

During the cold winter months specimens often freeze on route to our laboratory. The freezing process can severely damage the microscopic appearance of the tissues, sometimes to the point that the tissue may be totally useless for diagnostic purposes.  To prevent freezing, please place an equal volume of ethanol to formalin in the jars and then mail the biopsy to our laboratory.

How long will it take to get results from your service?

Our usual turnaround is three days after we receive the biopsy from you. If decalcification or extra stains are required, it will take longer to get results. If a malignant diagnosis is found, we will notify you by phone as well, before the report is generated.

How do you send us the results?

We fax the results to you as long as you have provided your fax number. If you don’t have a fax number, we mail your results.

How much does your service cost?

A biopsy fee of $110 CAD includes the standard processing of the soft tissue or hard tissue biopsy specimen, staining, and immunohistochemical studies as required, and a report. Payment may be made by cheque or credit card; the submitting clinician will be billed directly. 

For a complete fee schedule, please call 519-661-2111 x86402.

Is the cost of your service covered by OHIP?

Unfortunately, the government does not cover our service under OHIP. Some dental insurance companies do cover our service. The ODA code is 99222 (Laboratory Charge – Oral Pathology Diagnostic Service).

If the patient has two lesions will you charge for two biopsies?

If you send the biopsies at the same time (please use two bottles and fill out two requisitions), you will receive a report with A and B specimens, and there will be one charge for the service.

If the patient needs a second biopsy of the same area, is there a charge?

If the patient has the second biopsy of the same location for the same condition (eg: a wider excision of a dysplasia) within one year of the first biopsy, there will be no charge for our service.

Who is responsible for paying for your service?

The dentist or office sending us the biopsy is responsible for paying for our service. We will send you an invoice after we send your report. We recommend you collect payment from your patient at the time of service.

How can I pay for your service?

We accept payment by cheque, Visa, Mastercard and American Express. You can pay separately for each biopsy or pay for a group of invoices monthly. We can keep your credit card on file and process the payment before the invoice is sent (Paid invoice and receipt will be faxed), set up a day each month to pay outstanding invoices, or you can call Liz (519-661-2111 x86402) between 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Monday to Friday to pay for your invoice(s).