Convenient Access from East Bakersfield
Few families live closer to us than those in East Bakersfield. Kinder Pediatric Dental sits on Union Avenue in Bakersfield, the street that marks the neighborhood's western edge, and from the Baker Street library the trip takes about 2 minutes. For parents weighing a pediatric dentist near East Bakersfield, that means a cleaning or a toothache visit barely dents the day, and the whole office is devoted to babies, children and teens.
Start at the Baker Street Branch Library, 1400 Baker Street, in the heart of Old Town Kern. Head north on Baker Street, turn west onto East Niles Street, and follow it to Union Avenue, where the SR-178 on-ramp sits. Turn north on Union and continue to Lincoln Street to find 3130 Union Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93305.
It is a 1.2-mile hop, about 2 minutes on a typical day. The office is on the block between Flower Street and Lincoln Street, with Longfellow Elementary School and Memorial Hospital close by and Columbus Street a bit farther north. Open our Google Maps listing to see the last turn. Nearby families can also read our pages for Downtown Bakersfield and Hillcrest.
An East Bakersfield Neighbor Focused on Children
East Bakersfield has a story all its own. In 1874 the Southern Pacific laid its tracks east of Bakersfield and founded the railroad town of Sumner, which gained a post office in 1876 and a streetcar line down 19th Street by 1888. In 1910 its voters chose to join Bakersfield, the city's first major expansion. The old business district around Baker and Sumner streets, known as Old Town Kern, still anchors this corner of Kern County's largest city.
The neighborhood blends homes with small businesses, and it is also the headquarters of the Bakersfield City School District, whose district office stands on Baker Street. Schools are woven into daily life here, which suits a practice that spends its days with schoolchildren.
Our goal is simple: help each child build a positive relationship with their smile. We aim for kids to feel safe, comfortable and genuinely excited about their visits, and the team relies on laughter, fun and imagination to make that happen. Nervous first-timers and seasoned teens both get patient explanations.
Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 AM to 5 PM, and we close on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Our team speaks Spanish, so families can choose the language that feels most natural.
Keeping East Bakersfield Smiles Healthy Through the School Years
Children here attend Bakersfield City School District campuses such as Williams Elementary on Williams Street, Jefferson Elementary on Lincoln Street and Lincoln Junior High on Chico Street. Older students continue to East Bakersfield High School, built in 1938 and the second-oldest high school in Bakersfield. Across those years, kids move from baby teeth to a full adult smile, and each stage brings new needs.
In the early grades, the focus is on cavity prevention and on the six-year molars, which erupt behind the baby teeth and are easy to miss when brushing. Middle schoolers lose their last baby teeth and often get careless with flossing. High schoolers juggle sports, jobs and late nights, and sugary drinks become a bigger part of the day.
Living so close gives East Bakersfield families a real advantage. A short drive makes it realistic to come in at the first sign of a problem, such as a sensitive tooth, a dark spot or a swollen gum, instead of hoping it goes away. Early visits keep treatment smaller and simpler.
Prevention still begins at home. Two minutes of brushing twice a day, a fluoride toothpaste, and limiting sticky snacks between meals do more to protect teeth than anything we can do in the chair. Our team coaches parents and kids together so the routine sticks.
Weekend fun has risks, too. A tumble at Jefferson Park or a bike spill along a neighborhood sidewalk can crack a front tooth. Save a broken piece if you can find it, rinse gently, and phone us right away.
Services Parents Expect of a Pediatric Dentist Near East Bakersfield
Pediatric Dentistry
Our general care for kids covers exams, cleanings, digital x-rays, fillings and hygiene coaching. Families a couple of minutes away can keep every six-month visit without missing much school.
Dental Sedation
Children who feel overwhelmed may do better with nitrous oxide, oral sedation or general anesthesia. Age, health and anxiety guide the recommendation, and we review it with parents first.
Checkups Timed to the School Calendar
We suggest checkups at least twice a year. Many parents pair one with back-to-school season and another with spring, so the schedule stays easy to remember.
Early Infant Visits
Infant dental care begins with the first tooth. We examine tiny gums and teeth, then show parents how to clean them and what to know about teething and nighttime bottles.
Composite Bonding
Tooth-colored bonding can repair a chipped edge or a small gap, so a child feels good about smiling again. It is a conservative fix that keeps as much natural tooth as possible.
Meet Your Child's Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Edward Dove earned his degree at Marquette University Dental School in 1989 and later completed specialty training in pediatric dentistry. Under his care, the practice offers several sedation options and dentistry for special needs, always with prevention as the priority.
Insurance & Financing
Financing helps spread the cost of larger treatment, and we also accept credit cards, cash and personal checks. We are in-network with most major dental plans, Medicaid among them, and our staff sends the paperwork. Uninsured new patients with a toothache can book the $69 Emergency Exam & X-Ray.
Check Out Our Raving Reviews!
“Excellent service and team! The doctor was very nice and professional. He explained everything very well and answered all my questions.”
Sandra M.
“The team is very kind! My youngest had her first dental procedure there and they did a great job!”
Holly N.
“My kids and I love this doctor. Been going to him for the last 8 years. He is the only dentist I take my kids to. My family and I trust him dearly. Thank you!”
Galaxy W.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Kinder Pediatric Dental from East Bakersfield, and how do I get there?
The Baker Street Branch Library is 1.2 miles from our office, about a 2-minute drive. Go north on Baker Street, west on East Niles Street, then north on Union Avenue to Lincoln Street. Hardly any family has a shorter trip to a pediatric dentist near East Bakersfield, and the route uses only city streets.
Do East Bakersfield families need insurance to bring their kids in?
No, insurance is not required. New patients without insurance can start with the $99 Cleaning, Exam & X-Ray, or the $69 Emergency Exam & X-Ray if a tooth hurts. We accept cash, personal checks and major credit cards, and financing is available for larger treatment. Families with coverage can use most major plans, Medicaid included.
Why does my child's tooth look gray after a fall?
A gray or dark tooth after a fall usually means the nerve inside was bruised or injured. Sometimes the color fades as the tooth heals, but it can also signal that the nerve is dying. Our pediatric dentist checks the tooth with digital x-rays and watches it over time. Swelling, a pimple on the gum or pain needs a prompt visit.
What snacks are easiest on children's teeth?
Cheese, unsweetened yogurt, fresh vegetables and whole fruit are gentle choices. Sticky snacks like gummies, crackers and dried fruit cling to teeth and feed cavity-causing bacteria. How often kids graze matters as much as what they eat, so set snack times instead of nibbling all day. Our team tailors diet tips to each child's age.
What training does Dr. Dove have?
Dr. Edward Dove graduated from Marquette University Dental School in 1989 and completed postdoctoral specialty training in pediatric dentistry at NSU and Miami Children's Hospital in 2006. He has almost 30 years of clinical practice in California and Arizona. He also serves as a staff pediatric dentist at Maniilaq Hospital in Kotzebue, Alaska.
Schedule Your Visit from East Bakersfield
Finding a pediatric dentist near East Bakersfield takes just a phone call to 661-485-4991, Monday through Thursday. Our bilingual team will help you pick a time that suits your child's schedule. Browse more neighborhoods on our areas we serve page, or read about the practice on our Pediatric Dentist Bakersfield, CA homepage.
