Convenient Access from Northeast Bakersfield
High on the Panorama Bluffs, Northeast Bakersfield families are about 7 minutes from Kinder Pediatric Dental, the children's practice on Union Avenue in Bakersfield. If you are searching for a pediatric dentist near Northeast Bakersfield who treats only kids, from first teeth to senior year, our office is a short, scenic drive along the bluffs.
Picture leaving the Bakersfield College campus. Follow the campus drives to Haley Street, then turn west on Panorama Drive and ride the edge of the bluffs for roughly two miles. At the end of Panorama Drive, swing south onto Union Avenue for about a mile, and turn at Lincoln Street to arrive at 3130 Union Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93305.
Expect around 3 miles, close to 7 minutes behind the wheel, without any freeway. You will cross Columbus Street before reaching the office block between Lincoln Street and Flower Street, close to Longfellow Elementary School and Memorial Hospital. Save the listing on Google Maps for the first trip. Nearby families may also want our pages for East Bakersfield and Hillcrest.
Life on the Bluffs, and a Dental Office Built for Kids
Northeast Bakersfield looks different from the rest of the city. Instead of flat valley streets, it rolls across hills and bluffs that rise about 450 feet above most of Bakersfield, with long views toward Oildale and downtown. College Heights, the residential pocket around Bakersfield College, filled in during the early and mid-1950s, and homes kept spreading east toward the Kern River Canyon for decades after.
Bakersfield College has anchored the area since 1956, when it moved from downtown to its 153-acre campus on the hill. That gives Northeast Bakersfield a mix of long-settled households, young families and parents who are taking classes themselves. Many of them want a dentist who will talk to their children, not over their heads.
That is our whole approach. The practice exists to help kids form a positive relationship with their smile, and the team uses laughter, fun and imagination to make visits feel safe and even exciting. Parents get clear explanations, and kids get a dentist who treats them like the main guest.
Our hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 AM to 5 PM, and we are closed Friday through Sunday. A student-parent with a free block between classes can often fit in a child's checkup and be back on the Panorama campus before the next lecture.
Northeast Bakersfield Parents: Protecting Teeth From Toddler to Teen
Bakersfield City School District campuses such as Noble Elementary and Washington Middle School on Noble Avenue, plus Horace Mann and Eissler elementary schools, serve many Northeast Bakersfield children. Those are the years when baby teeth loosen and permanent molars erupt, and deep grooves on new molars catch food easily. Brushing those back teeth carefully every night matters more than most kids realize.
Older students head to Kern High School District campuses, including Highland High, which opened in 1970. Teenagers are busy, tired and often snacking late, and soda or sports drinks can soften enamel quickly. A steady twice-a-year checkup gives us a chance to spot early weak spots before they become cavities.
This part of town loves the outdoors. Panorama Park runs about a mile and a half along the top of the bluffs with a paved path, trails and a children's play area, and Kern River County Park, home to Hart Park, Lake Ming and the California Living Museum, is a weekend favorite. Bikes, scooters and trail running are wonderful, but falls happen, and a chipped front tooth is one of the most common results.
Reading helps, too. The Northeast Branch Library on Oswell Street stocks picture books for young readers, and a story about a first dental visit can make the real one feel familiar. Kids who know what to expect, from the reclining chair to the little mirror, usually settle in faster.
Families east of the college, out toward Rio Bravo, have a slightly longer trip than those in College Heights. Those extra minutes are a fair trade for an office devoted entirely to children. Whichever corner of the Northeast you call home, an early-week morning slot is often the easiest to plan around.
When an accident does happen, find any broken piece of tooth, rinse gently with water and call our office. Quick action often keeps a repair simple.
Treatment Options With a Pediatric Dentist Near Northeast Bakersfield
Dental Sedation
Nitrous oxide, oral sedation and general anesthesia give anxious children a calmer experience. Dr. Dove picks the approach after weighing each child's age, health and comfort level.
Pediatric Dentistry
Checkups, cleanings, digital x-rays and fillings make up most of what kids from the bluffs need. Our preventive focus keeps those visits short and routine for most children.
Composite Bonding for Chipped Teeth
A spill on the Panorama Park path can nick a front tooth. Tooth-colored composite bonding rebuilds the edge so a child can smile in class photos without feeling self-conscious.
Care for Kids With Special Needs
Children with sensory, developmental or medical needs receive extra time, a predictable routine and sedation when it helps. Dentistry for special needs is part of our everyday care.
Hygiene Lessons for the Whole Family
We coach kids and parents together on brushing, flossing and smart snacks. For College Heights families, a few practical tips can make the nightly routine far less of a battle.
Meet Your Child's Pediatric Dentist
Besides caring for children in Bakersfield, Dr. Edward Dove serves as a staff pediatric dentist at Maniilaq Hospital in Kotzebue, Alaska. Almost 30 years of clinical work in California and Arizona have taught him how to put young patients at ease quickly.
Insurance & Financing
We accept all major credit cards, cash and personal checks, and financing is available. Most major insurance plans, including Medicaid, are in-network, and our staff handles the claims. Uninsured new patients can start with the $99 Cleaning, 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 Northeast Bakersfield, and how do I get there?
Starting from Bakersfield College, the drive is about 3 miles and takes roughly 7 minutes. Panorama Drive carries you west along the bluffs, and Union Avenue takes you south the rest of the way. Parents comparing options for a pediatric dentist near Northeast Bakersfield usually find the route simple, with no freeway driving involved.
Is most of the drive from Bakersfield College on Panorama Drive?
Yes, about two of the three miles follow Panorama Drive along the top of the bluffs. The last mile is a straight run south on Union Avenue past Columbus Street. Rush hour can add a few minutes where Panorama Drive meets Union Avenue, so leave a little extra time on weekday afternoons.
Does Panorama Park have a playground for younger kids?
Yes, Panorama Park includes a children's play area along with its paved path and bluff trails. The county-run park stretches about a mile and a half across the Panorama Bluffs. Families sometimes stop there before or after a checkup, letting kids burn off energy while parents enjoy the view over the river.
How much higher are the Panorama Bluffs than the rest of Bakersfield?
The bluffs and rolling hills of Northeast Bakersfield sit about 450 feet above the rest of the city, a rare bit of high ground in this part of Kern County. That height explains the wide views from Panorama Drive and Bakersfield College. Panorama Drive traces the edge of those bluffs, so the first two miles of the trip to our office come with a view.
How does Dr. Dove decide which kind of sedation a child needs?
He looks at three things: the child's age, overall health and level of anxiety. A mildly nervous child may only need nitrous oxide, while a longer procedure or strong fear might call for oral sedation or general anesthesia. Parents hear the options and reasons before anything is scheduled, so the decision is shared.
Schedule Your Visit from Northeast Bakersfield
Booking with a pediatric dentist near Northeast Bakersfield starts with a quick call to 661-485-4991. Our team answers Monday through Thursday and can help in English or Spanish. Look up nearby neighborhoods on the areas we serve page, or head to our Pediatric Dentist Bakersfield, CA homepage.
