Convenient Access from Riverlakes
Pool days, gym games and long walks around the lake keep Riverlakes kids busy, so their dental visits should be easy to fit in. Kinder Pediatric Dental is a pediatric dentist near Riverlakes that treats only children, from the first tooth through the teen years, at our office on Union Ave in Bakersfield. Most families make the drive in about 11 minutes. Our team speaks Spanish and English, and we keep each visit light, friendly and focused on your child.
From RiverLakes Ranch Community Park at 3825 Riverlakes Dr, head out to Coffee Rd and go south to Rosedale Hwy. Turn east and stay on it for about three miles as it turns into 24th St, then continue onto 23rd St. A short freeway link drops you at the Union Ave off-ramp; go north on Union Ave to 3130 Union Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93305. Plan on roughly 6.4 miles and 11 minutes in all.
Along the way you pass the Northwest Promenade shopping center and the long commercial stretch of Rosedale Hwy, which most parents already know from weekend errands. Tap the office on Google Maps to load turn-by-turn directions on your phone. Families just west and south of here can find our pages for Rosedale and Kern City.
Riverlakes Families and a Practice That Is All About Kids
Riverlakes Ranch took shape in the mid-1990s as a master-planned community beside The Links at Riverlakes Ranch, a public golf course with a Scottish feel. It has grown steadily ever since. Residents share a private beach club with three pools, including a beach-entry pool, plus five pocket parks, a clubhouse and a private lake circled by a walking trail.
A neighborhood designed around pools and parks naturally draws young families. Homes range from starter-sized to roomy, and many households here are raising children of every age. A dental office that sees only kids makes sense for households like these, where a toddler, a third grader and a teenager may all need checkups in the same season.
We built our practice to give children a positive relationship with their smile. That means plenty of laughter, fun and imagination in the chair, and explanations geared to a child's age. Kids who feel comfortable and safe at six tend to keep showing up at sixteen.
We are open Monday through Thursday from 8 AM to 5 PM and closed Friday through Sunday. Parents can book right after school lets out, since Rosedale Hwy gets you across town quickly when traffic is light.
Riverlakes Dental Tips for Active, Water-Loving Kids
Summer in this corner of northwest Bakersfield centers on the water. Wet pool decks, diving games and crowded beach-entry steps are a recipe for slips, and front teeth often take the hit. Teaching kids to walk, not run, around the pools at the beach club prevents more chipped teeth than any repair.
Indoor sports matter too. The double indoor gym and outdoor half-court at RiverLakes Ranch Community Park give kids plenty of room to play ball. A mouthguard is worth considering for kids who play contact sports, and a quick visit after any hard knock to the mouth can catch a cracked tooth early.
Snacks follow kids from the pool to the car. Sports drinks, popsicles and gummy treats bathe teeth in sugar, especially when they are sipped or nibbled for hours. Water in a reusable bottle is the simplest swap, and rinsing after a sweet treat helps when brushing has to wait.
Not every child is relaxed about the dentist, and that is normal. Some kids have sensory sensitivities or special needs that make bright lights and new sounds hard to handle. We plan those visits with extra time and patience, and sedation is there when a child truly needs it. Digital x-rays help as well, because they are quick to take and easy to show a curious child on the screen.
Families here are also served by two school districts, Fruitvale and Norris. The Fruitvale School District, founded in 1895, runs schools such as Discovery Elementary on Vaquero Ave, which has been named a California Distinguished School and a National Blue Ribbon School. School calendars make good planning tools, since a six-month checkup lines up nicely with fall and spring breaks.
What a Pediatric Dentist Near Riverlakes Offers Your Child
Pediatric Dentistry
Our foundation is routine care: exams, cleanings, digital x-rays and home-care coaching. Riverlakes kids who keep a steady schedule usually find each visit shorter and more familiar than the last.
Dental Sedation
For a child who is very anxious or needs a longer treatment, we offer nitrous oxide, oral sedation and general anesthesia. Dr. Dove recommends the right level based on age, health and anxiety.
Composite Bonding for Chipped Teeth
A slip on a wet pool deck can leave a front tooth with a jagged edge. Tooth-colored composite bonding rebuilds the missing piece so the smile looks natural again.
Pulpotomy for Baby Teeth
If a cavity in a baby molar reaches the nerve, a pulpotomy can treat the inflamed tissue and save the tooth. Keeping that tooth holds space for the permanent one coming in behind it.
Infant and Toddler Care
New parents strolling the lake trail with a baby can start dental care early. Infant visits focus on gum care, first-tooth cleaning and habits that set the stage for a cavity-free childhood.
We welcome children from across Kern County, including the northwest side. Whether you live near the lake, closer to Allen Rd, or over in neighboring Fruitvale or Greenacres, the services above are the same, delivered by one pediatric dentist who knows children's teeth inside and out.
Meet Your Child's Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Edward Dove trained as a pediatric dental specialist through the postdoctoral program at NSU and Miami Children's Hospital, finishing in 2006. He believes prevention comes first, guiding families from early infancy through adolescence on office visits, home care, diet and fluoride.
Insurance & Financing
Most major dental insurance plans are in-network here, and so is Medicaid. Our front desk prepares and submits the paperwork, and we also accept major credit cards, cash and personal checks. Families who want to spread out a larger treatment cost can review our financing and insurance options.
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 Riverlakes, and how do I get there?
Our office is about 6.4 miles from RiverLakes Ranch Community Park, roughly 11 minutes by car. You follow Coffee Rd south to Rosedale Hwy, continue east as it becomes 24th St and 23rd St, then take Union Ave north. It is a direct crosstown drive for parents choosing a pediatric dentist near Riverlakes.
What should I do if my child knocks out a tooth at a Riverlakes pool?
Act fast and call our office, because timing matters most with a knocked-out permanent tooth. Hold it by the crown, rinse it briefly and keep it in milk on the way in. Baby teeth should not be pushed back in. New patients without insurance can use our $69 Emergency Exam & X-Ray offer.
Which school districts serve Riverlakes families?
Two districts, Fruitvale and Norris, serve the neighborhood. Fruitvale, founded in 1895, runs Columbia, Discovery, Endeavour and Quailwood elementaries plus Fruitvale Junior High. Whichever campus your child attends, booking checkups during school breaks or right after dismissal keeps missed class time to a minimum.
Which road carries most of the drive from Riverlakes?
Rosedale Hwy does, covering about three miles of the trip before it turns into 24th St. It is lined with shops and signals, so it moves slower at rush hour. A mid-morning appointment for a preschooler, or an early afternoon slot on a short school day, usually means a smoother ride across town.
Can my Riverlakes teenager keep seeing a pediatric dentist?
Yes, we care for patients from early infancy through adolescence, so teens are welcome. Staying with a familiar office helps during the high school years, when sports, busy schedules and snacking can lead to new cavities. Feel free to look through what other parents say on our reviews page before booking.
Schedule Your Visit from Riverlakes
Give your kids a pediatric dentist near Riverlakes who makes visits feel easy. Call 661-485-4991 on Monday through Thursday, and our team will set up a time that fits around school, swim lessons and practice. See all the communities on our Areas We Serve page, or start at our Pediatric Dentist Bakersfield, CA homepage.
