PRIONS IN DENTISTRY- A REVIEW

Abstract

Prion diseases are immedicable neurodegenerative conditions affecting both animals and humans. The disease was first discovered by Stanley B. Prusiner and he defined Prions as infectious, transmissible proteinaceous particles that lack nucleic acid and are composed exclusively of a modified isoform of the non-infectious cellular prion protein (PrPC).  The dentist must bear in mind of this disease because the Prions resist the standard sterilization procedures in normal clinical use and is barely completely eliminated by incineration. This article reviews current knowledge of the presence of prion within the mouth, risk of transmission and discusses infection control protocol for the patients with prion disease.