Dentists are starting to struggle with surgical mask shortages, with one Horsham practice saying it was taking weeks for stock to arrive.
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Dental assistant Alwin Thomas, from Horsham Plaza Dental Care, said surgical masks have been difficult to order.
"Today we only received two boxes of masks, and it took three weeks to arrive," Mr Thomas said.
"The Federal Government needs to step in and enforce a purchase limit for surgical masks, like supermarkets have with toilet paper."
The Australian Dental Association on Thursday urged the Federal Government to "corral" part of a new supply of masks about to arrive for dentists to prevent widespread practice closures.
Many dental practices were expected to run out of masks within four weeks due to extraordinary demand caused by coronavirus.
"Without surgical masks, dentists cannot treat patients safely and we run the risk of people going without treatment," said the ADA's Deputy CEO, Eithne Irving.
The Rural Doctors Association of Australia on Thursday also said it backed calls for Medicare rebated telehealth consultations which would enable patients with suspected coronavirus to contact their GPs via phone or video-conferencing.
Coronavirus outbreak: Toilet paper, face masks and hand sanitisers fly off Wimmera shelves
President, Dr John Hall, said given the shortage of health professionals in rural communities "providing urgent access to MBS rebated telehealth consultations is critical".
"The more we can keep patients with suspected coronavirus at home, and prevent the further spread of the virus, the better - and that is where telehealth can play a leading role," Dr Hall said.
Washing hands "thoroughly and regularly" was the best precaution against corona virus - not wearing a mask - Wimmera Health Care Group's acting director of medical services, Dr John Christie said this week.
His advice echoed that from Premier Daniel Andrews, who on Tuesday urged people to stop stockpiling goods and said that it wasn't necessary to wear face masks.
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Dr Christie said that no-one had yet been been treated for coronavirus at the Wimmera Base Hospital.
He said that people should be sensible and take precautions against the virus, as they should for any virus.
"The coronavirus is not considered pandemic but people should still be careful," Dr Christie said.
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