For some Indiana dentists and hygienists, there's worry that restarting routine dental care is risky.

INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) Governor Eric Holcomb's executive order allowed dental offices to reopen Monday for routine care.

But is that too soon?

For some Indiana dentists and hygienists, there's worry that restarting routine dental care is risky.

"If social distancing is six feet, please don't put us six to eight inches from an open mouth," said Dental Hygienist Jaime Harris.

Under Governor Holcomb's executive order, dental offices can resume non-emergency care as long as they feel they have enough personal protective equipment to stay safe.

While some offices do have enough PPE, in general, PPE is still scarce, especially N-95 masks.

Many masks are on back order or hard to purchase right now.

And some dental offices, when they stopped routine care last month, donated their supply to hospitals in need.

Plus, there's concern that during dental procedures, aerosols can spread and potentially carry the virus farther.

Jaime Harris moderates a Facebook group with 6,500 Hoosier hygienists.

Even with their financial desire to get back to work, many are posting that they want their offices to wait.

It's a difficult dilemma: protecting lives versus preserving livelihoods.

"It costs dentists thousands not to be open. It's a business, too. We can't stay closed forever," Harris said. "But if social distancing is until May first, why did we open back up April 27 to be so close to patients and an open mouth? I mean, I have hygienists emailing me saying 'if I ask this question on the page, I'm going to get fired.' You know I've had hygienists come back and say 'I'm opening up tomorrow and my doctor didn't change anything.'"

13News received similar concerns.

One hygienist, who wanted to remain anonymous, told us she's "fearful to return to work right now because it feels like we will be 'testing the water' for others, and we won't know if we made a mistake by treating patients in that close proximity until it's too late."

"If you're telling us to social distance and to wear masks, in grocery stores, well - a patient cannot wear a mask in our dental office," Harris said. "I just kind of wish we would wait another week or two, see what's going to happen, are the numbers going to start to go down."

Jaime's office won't reopen until May 4.

She goes back to work May 18.

She says her dentist has gone above and beyond to take precautions.

The office plans to pre-screen patients to make sure they're not sick and take temperatures when they come in.

"So when you come in, you use hand sanitizer, we take your temperature. You'll come into the back office. You'll wash your hands. We'll give you a pre-rinse mouthwash," Harris explained.

Still, there's fear.

With hundreds of COVID-19 cases still being reported daily, hygienists say it's hard to determine how and when to treat patients safely in a job that's up close and personal.

Not all dentists have reopened yet.

Some are waiting, others are opening on a limited basis.