PRACTICE Whenever an insurance benefit payment came to us by mistake, we responded with letters to both the patient and their insurance carrier, drawing attention to this thoughtless mistake. It really became quite fun. We took advantage of every opportunity to make the insurance company appear foolish. After all, is not that tactic frequently used against us? We also discovered that insurance companies pay those who pay the premiums much more quickly than they pay the health care provider. Who are we anyway? We deceive ourselves if we really think we have that much clout with insurance companies. We do not. And, it is because we do not pay the premiums.
ORAL PATHOLOGY PUZZLER: DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? (continued from page 17) Correct answer: (d) Lateral Periodontal Cyst
At the end of the day, who pays whom, and the power derived from controlling the directional flow of money is real. Make it work for you, not the insurance company. If you really want to liberate yourself from insurance companies, stop accepting assignment of benefit. Dr Mark Taylor UDA Treasurer
HEALTH UTAH WILL MERGE THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT On July 1, 2022 the Utah Department of Health and the Utah Department of Human Services with merge and become the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Currently Nate Checketts is the Interim executive director for the Department of Health. Tracy Gruber, current executive director for the Department of Human Services has been named to be the new executive director when the two departments merge. Currently the state dental direct in the health department is Dr. Kim Michelson servicing in the position 0.20 FTE. Historically the position has been full-time, however starting in July 2013 it was changed to 0.50 FTE when the previous state dental director retired. In October 2018 the positon was reduce to 0.25 FTE due to reduced funding for the positon. In addition to the state dental director, the Oral Health Program staff in the health department have also seen reductions. In 2018 the program had two full-time dental hygienist that helped with program activities and currently there is one. As plans are being made for the merger there are discussions about elevating the importance of oral health going on. The Utah Oral Health Coalition has been involved in efforts to pursue this.
A lateral periodontal cyst is a developmental odontogenic cyst which typically occurs along the lateral root surface. It arises from rests of dental lamina. Under the microscope, the lateral periodontal cyst has a thin, usually non-inflamed, fibrous wall A lateral periodontal cyst is a developmental odontogenic cyst which typically occurs with cystic epithelium that rests is thin most areas.Under However, lateral root surface. It arises from of in dental lamina. the microscope, the la nodular thickenings of the lining are often noted (image It epithelium periodontal cyst has a thin, usually non-inflamed, fibrous wall with2). cystic is the intrabony counterpart of the gingival cyst of adult in most areas. However, nodular thickenings of the lining arethe often noted (image 2). I intrabony the gingival cyst ofages the adult andItishas commonly found in patie and iscounterpart commonlyoffound in patients 40-60. a striking 40-60. It has a striking predilection to occur in the mandibular premolar-canine-latera predilection to occur in the mandibular premolar-canine-lateral areaincisor (75%-80% in this region). Anthis important finding is that all adjacent teeth ar areaoccur (75%-80% occur in region). An important Radiographically, it appears as a well-circumscribed radiolucency that is typically un is that all adjacent teethare arenotvital. Radiographically, it keratocyst th The finding radiographic features of this cyst diagnostic; an odontogenic appears as a well-circumscribed radiolucency that is typically between the roots of adjacent teeth may look identical (image 3). Most lateral periodo unilocular. The radiographic features of this cyst are not are less than 1 cm in greatest diameter. Occasionally, the lesion may appear polycysti lesions are termed odontogenic cysts (botryoid meansbetween “grapelike”). They ap diagnostic; anbotryoid odontogenic keratocyst that develops multilocular and this lesion variant of the rootsvia ofradiograph adjacent teeth may lookrepresents identicala(image 3).the lateral periodon Conservative enucleation is treatment. Recurrence and/or malignant Most lateral periodontal cysts are less than 1 cm in greatesttransformation is exceedingly rare. diameter. Occasionally, the lesion may appear polycystic. These lesions are termed botryoid odontogenic cysts (botryoid means “grapelike”). They appear multilocular via radiograph and this lesion represents a variant of the lateral periodontal cyst. Conservative enucleation is treatment. Recurrence and/or malignant transformation is exceedingly rare. Works Cited
Dr. Kim Michelson State Dental Director Utah Department of Health
Neville, Damm, Allen, Chi (2016). Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, 4th Ed. St. Louis: Elsevier.
UDA Action
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