The Pennsylvania Department of Health released Friday the revised dental health care guidance as part of Gov. Tom Wolf’s strategic, phased COVID-19 reopening plan.

Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine have revised their business closure orders issued March 19 to remove the prohibition on non-urgent and non-emergent, dental procedures. The revised orders took affect Thursday.

“We want to make sure that dental practices are operating in a way that protects everyone working in the dental office, patients, and community,” Levine said.

Dental providers must follow protocols outlined by the CDC and OSHA for all procedures. If they are unable to follow protocols, then the procedure should not be done.

Providers may perform non-aerosolizing, non-urgent and non-emergent care only if proper personal protective equipment, per OSHA guidance, is available for all dental care practitioners, including dental hygienists.

All patients should be screened for symptoms of COVID-19 before arriving at the practice and social distancing should be maintained while in the office.

Patients should wash or sanitize their hands frequently and wear a mask when not undergoing treatment.

Tele-dentistry should continue when possible as patients may be able to be treated virtually with antibiotics and pain medication.