Convenient Access from Southwest Bakersfield
Between soccer practice, homework and trips to the library, families in Southwest Bakersfield keep full calendars. If you have been searching for a pediatric dentist near Southwest Bakersfield, Kinder Pediatric Dental is about 14 minutes away, on Union Ave in central Bakersfield. We treat children only, from infancy through adolescence. Our team speaks Spanish, and we keep visits upbeat, with laughter, fun and imagination at the center of every appointment.
A good place to start is the Southwest Branch Library at 8301 Ming Ave. Head along Ming Ave to Gosford Rd and turn north, then take Stockdale Hwy east for close to two miles. Stockdale Hwy hands you off to California Ave, which runs east for nearly four miles across the middle of town. Turn north on Union Ave and continue to 3130 Union Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93305, for a total of about 8.2 miles and 14 minutes on surface streets, with no freeway merges.
California State University, Bakersfield, The Park at River Walk and the Stockdale Country Club all sit within this part of town, so the first stretch of the drive will feel familiar. Pin the office on Google Maps ahead of time. Families with cousins nearby may also like our pages for Kern City and Rosedale.
Growing Up in Southwest Bakersfield, With a Dentist Just for Kids
Most of Southwest Bakersfield was once owned by a single large land company. Building took off in the early 1950s and sped up through the 1960s. Today the area is a patchwork of residential subdivisions, including Stockdale, Seven Oaks, Haggin Oaks, Southern Oaks and Silver Creek, woven between shopping centers and the California Ave financial district.
Those subdivisions are full of growing families, and growing families need a dentist who speaks a child's language. At our office, every routine is designed for young patients rather than borrowed from adult care. A toddler hears simple words and gentle counting, while a teenager gets straight answers about what is going on in their mouth.
Kinder Pediatric Dental was created to give kids a positive relationship with their smile. When children feel comfortable, safe and a little excited about the dentist, they cooperate better and carry good habits home. That early attitude can shape how a person treats their teeth for decades.
We are open Monday through Thursday from 8 AM to 5 PM and closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Since the drive from Southwest Bakersfield is a bit longer, many parents favor a morning slot or one that starts right after dismissal.
Smile Care Notes for Southwest Bakersfield Parents
Much of Southwest Bakersfield is served by the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District, with elementary campuses such as Laurelglen, Christa McAuliffe, Ronald Reagan, Stockdale and Old River. District-wide, PBVUSD runs 19 elementary schools, five junior highs and two TK-8 schools. That is a lot of young mouths moving from baby teeth to permanent ones.
Those school years are a busy time in a child's mouth. Front teeth wobble loose in kindergarten and first grade, the six-year molars break through behind the baby teeth, and the twelve-year molars follow in junior high. Back teeth with deep grooves catch food easily, so careful brushing along the gumline and checkups at least twice a year make a real difference.
For many Kern County parents, the library is a natural partner. The Southwest Branch reopened on January 6, 2025, after a year-long closure for upgrades, and it is a familiar weekday stop for many families. Picture books about visiting the dentist are an easy way to prepare a nervous preschooler before a first appointment.
Older kids in Southwest Bakersfield bring their own challenges. Sports drinks after practice and late-night snacking during exam weeks both show up in a teen's mouth. Because we keep seeing patients through adolescence, a high schooler can stay with the same office and the same dentist who has known them since preschool. That continuity makes it easier to spot changes early.
Weekends often end up at The Park at River Walk, a 32-acre city park opened in 2006 with two lakes joined by a stream, a playground and covered picnic areas. Playgrounds and scooters go hand in hand with bumped lips and chipped teeth. Knowing where to call ahead of time takes some of the panic out of a fall.
Kids' Dental Services From a Pediatric Dentist Near Southwest Bakersfield
Pediatric Dentistry
Everything starts with a thorough checkup: an exam, a cleaning and digital x-rays when they are needed. For a busy Southwest Bakersfield household, one well-run visit every six months keeps small issues from growing.
Dental Sedation
Nitrous oxide, oral sedation and general anesthesia are available for children who need them. The choice rests on age, overall health and how anxious a child feels, and sedation also helps many kids with special needs.
Infant Dental Care
A baby's first tooth is the signal to start. Early visits let new parents in Seven Oaks or Silver Creek learn gum care, bottle habits and first brushing before a problem has a chance to form.
Care for Kids With Special Needs
We adapt the pace, the room and the plan for children with sensory, developmental or medical needs. Parents know their child best, and we listen closely before we begin.
Checkups & Home Care Coaching
Twice-yearly visits pair with hands-on coaching for parents and kids. Practical tips, such as brushing along the gumline of new molars, fit easily into a homework-and-practice routine.
Meet Your Child's Pediatric Dentist
Beyond our Bakersfield office, Dr. Edward Dove serves as a staff pediatric dentist at Maniilaq Hospital in Kotzebue, Alaska. He earned his dental degree at Marquette University Dental School in 1989 and has spent almost 30 years in clinical practice. His guiding idea is prevention, from early infancy all the way through adolescence.
Insurance & Financing
We work with most major dental insurance plans as an in-network provider, Medicaid included, and we handle the paperwork for you. New patients without insurance can begin with the $99 Cleaning, Exam & X-Ray. Credit cards, cash, personal checks and financing are all accepted.
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 Southwest Bakersfield, and how do I get there?
From the Southwest Branch Library on Ming Ave, the office is about 8.2 miles away, roughly a 14-minute drive. The route runs up Gosford Rd, east on Stockdale Hwy and California Ave, then north on Union Ave. Parents who want a pediatric dentist near Southwest Bakersfield can make the whole trip on surface streets.
Is the Southwest Branch Library open again after its renovation?
Yes, the branch at 8301 Ming Ave reopened on January 6, 2025, after a year-long closure for infrastructure upgrades. It is a handy weekday stop for books. Picking up a picture book about the dentist before a first visit is a simple, friendly way to help a young child know what to expect.
How can PBVUSD families keep dental visits from cutting into class time?
Booking right after dismissal or during school breaks works best for most Panama-Buena Vista families. With a 14-minute drive, an after-school slot Monday through Thursday leaves enough time to get across town. Scheduling the next six-month checkup before you leave each visit also helps lock in the times that fit your calendar.
Do we need the freeway to drive in from the Stockdale and Seven Oaks area?
No, the usual route stays on surface streets the whole way. Stockdale Hwy and California Ave carry you east, and Union Ave takes you north to the office. Both main roads are busy at commute times, and rush hour can add a few minutes, so a mid-morning visit is often the calmest drive.
What happens at a baby's first dental visit?
A first visit is short and focused on prevention. Dr. Dove checks the gums and any early teeth, then walks parents through cleaning, feeding habits and fluoride. Filling out the new patient forms at home beforehand keeps check-in quick, which is helpful when you are juggling an infant and a diaper bag.
Schedule Your Visit from Southwest Bakersfield
Ready when you are: reach a pediatric dentist near Southwest Bakersfield at 661-485-4991, or send us a message through our contact form. Our team will help you choose a Monday through Thursday time. Browse all of the areas we serve, or visit our Pediatric Dentist Bakersfield, CA homepage to learn more about our practice.
