I'm worried about going to the dentist during the covid-19 outbreak. dentists offices seem perfect places to find novel coronavirus. should i reschedule for later?

Your decision: It is not correct that Dentist's office is a perfect place to find a Covid19. As long as your dentist's office follows all the strict sterilization procedures, there is no need to be afraid. Unless you have a emergency or teeth related pain, you may choose to postpone your appointment for routine dentistry

Emergency Only: Not sure why you would think any medical office would be the "perfect place" to find COVID-19. Medical offices practice universal precautions, meaning they assume everyone has some sort of disease, so surfaces are constantly disinfected, instruments steam sterilized, and PPE worn. You have a better chance of contracting COVID19 in any confined space where people are not wearing PPE.

CALL TO ASK: While many safety measures have been recommended, not all dental offices are equally prepared. As a result, some offices are better equipped than others. Strong high-volume suction (PureVac), DentAirVac extra-oral suction, ambient air filtration and disinfection system like SurgicalCleanAir or IQAir, and ultra-low volume fogger, UVC light, etc. to name a few. Ask your office how they are prepared.

So far: So far the statistics read exactly the opposite. You are probably more at risk standing in line at the pharmacy, shopping in a market, or being in close contact with a friend who may not as yet be showing symptoms. Dentists have gone to extreme lengths prepare to reopen, assuring a healthy environment in which to practice. Talk our concerns over with your provider.