Utah Will Merge the Health Department and the Human Services Department

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. 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

ORAL PATHOLOGY PUZZLER: DO YOU SEE WHAT I SEE?

(continued from page 17)

Correct answer: (d) Lateral Periodontal Cyst

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.

Dr. Kim Michelson State Dental Director Utah Department of Health

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 with cystic epithelium that is thin in most areas. However, 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 nodular thickenings of the lining are often noted (image 2). It periodontal cyst has a thin, usually non-inflamed, fibrous wall with cystic epithelium that is thin is the intrabony counterpart of the gingival cyst of the adult in most areas. However, nodular thickenings of the lining are often noted (image 2). It is the and is commonly found in patients ages 40-60. It has a striking intrabony counterpart of the gingival cyst of the adult and is commonly found in patients ages 40- predilection to occur in the mandibular premolar-canine-lateral 60. It has a striking predilection to occur in the mandibular premolar-canine-lateral incisor incisor area (75%-80% occur in this region). An important finding is that all adjacent teeth are vital. Radiographically, it area (75%-80% occur in this region). An important finding is that all adjacent teeth are vital. Radiographically, it appears as a well-circumscribed radiolucency that is typically unilocular. The radiographic features of this cyst are not diagnostic; an odontogenic keratocyst that develops appears as a well-circumscribed radiolucency that is typically between the roots of adjacent teeth may look identical (image 3). Most lateral periodontal cysts are unilocular. The radiographic features of this cyst are not less than 1 cm in greatest diameter. Occasionally, the lesion may appear polycystic. These diagnostic; an odontogenic keratocyst that develops between lesions are termed botryoid odontogenic cysts (botryoid means “grapelike”). They appear the roots of adjacent teeth may look identical (image 3). multilocular via radiograph and this lesion represents a variant of the lateral periodontal cyst. Most lateral periodontal cysts are less than 1 cm in greatest diameter. Occasionally, the lesion may appear polycystic. Conservative enucleation is treatment. Recurrence and/or malignant transformation is exceedingly rare. 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

Neville, Damm, Allen, Chi (2016). Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, 4th Ed. St. Louis: Elsevier.