Convenient Access from Westchester
About 6 minutes. That is roughly how long it takes to drive from the leafy blocks of Westchester to Kinder Pediatric Dental, a kids-only office on Union Ave in Bakersfield. For parents comparing options for a pediatric dentist near Westchester, that short hop means a cleaning can fit between school pickup and dinner without turning into an afternoon project. We see infants, young children, tweens and teens, and our whole office is built around them.
Start where the neighborhood meets the Kern River Parkway Bike Trail, near Elm St and Amber Ct. From Amber Ct, take Elm St to Golden State Rd and then F St, follow 30th St east through the roundabout, and turn north on Union Ave to reach 3130 Union Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93305. It is a 2.6-mile trip that usually takes about 6 minutes, entirely on city streets. You can pull up the office on Google Maps to see the final turn before your first visit.
Jastro Park and Franklin Elementary School sit a few blocks south of 24th St, just outside the neighborhood, and both are easy landmarks for families nearby. If your relatives live a little south or east, our pages for Downtown Bakersfield and East Bakersfield cover those trips.
Westchester Kids Deserve a Dental Office Made for Them
Westchester takes its name from its spot west of Chester Ave. C. Elmer Houchin built it out of about 300 stump-littered acres, beginning with a tract purchase in 1945. One of the first homes, at 2500 Beech St, was unveiled in 1949 as a showcase patterned after the house in the film Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House. Today the tree-lined streets and large, historic homes are among the most recognizable in Bakersfield.
Older houses often come with new families. Young parents moving into one of these homes tend to be looking for everything at once: a pediatrician, a preschool and a dentist who understands small children. A pediatric practice answers that last need directly, because nothing about our care is scaled down from adult dentistry.
Our goal has always been to give children a positive relationship with their smile. We aim for kids to feel comfortable, safe and even excited about coming in, and we lean on laughter, fun and imagination to get there. That approach matters most on a first visit, when a Westchester child is still forming an opinion about dentists.
Monday through Thursday, 8 AM to 5 PM, are our office hours, and we are closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Because the trip is so short, an early appointment can still leave time to drop a child at school afterward.
Smart Dental Habits for Westchester Families
Living close to downtown has its perks, and one of them is quick access to care. Parents who work near Truxtun Ave or the civic center can sometimes slip away for a child's checkup and be back before the afternoon is half over. Short trips make it easier to keep the twice-a-year rhythm that catches problems early.
Prevention starts at home. Brushing twice a day with a smear of toothpaste for babies, and a pea-sized amount once a child can spit, covers the basics. Flossing begins once two teeth touch. Our team coaches both kids and parents on these steps, so the routine feels familiar instead of like a battle at the bathroom sink.
Franklin Elementary, a Bakersfield City School District campus at 2400 Truxtun Ave, opened in 1914 and is one of the district's oldest schools. The school years are when permanent teeth arrive, starting with the six-year molars, and when steady checkups pay off most. A child who finishes elementary school without a cavity has a real head start.
Teenagers need attention too. Busy schedules, sports drinks and late-night snacks make the high school years a common time for new cavities, even in kids who sailed through childhood. We keep seeing patients through adolescence, so a teen does not have to switch offices just as habits start to slip.
Weekends near the river bring their own dental risks. Bike rides on the Kern River Parkway trail and scooter laps around the block can end with a bumped lip or a chipped front tooth. A properly fitted helmet protects the face, and a quick call to our office tells you whether the injury needs to be seen.
Many families in this Kern County neighborhood also juggle grandparents, nannies and carpools. Writing down a child's brushing routine and sharing it with every caregiver keeps habits steady from house to house. Small, consistent steps prevent more cavities than any single visit can.
Dental Care From a Pediatric Dentist Near Westchester
Pediatric Dentistry
Checkups, cleanings and digital x-rays are the backbone of our care. For a child living this close, a short drive makes it simple to stay on schedule year after year.
Dental Sedation
Nervous children have options. Depending on age, health and anxiety, Dr. Dove may recommend nitrous oxide, oral sedation or general anesthesia to help treatment go smoothly.
Checkups Every Six Months
We recommend checkups at least twice a year. Living a few minutes away, local families can book them around school calendars without losing much of the day.
Special Needs Dentistry
Children with special needs receive care paced to them, with a calm approach and sedation available when it helps. Dentistry for special needs is one of our everyday services.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
When a cavity appears, composite fillings repair it in a shade that blends with the natural tooth. Composite bonding can also smooth a small chip from a scooter spill.
Meet Your Child's Pediatric Dentist
A 1989 graduate of Marquette University Dental School, Dr. Edward Dove has almost 30 years of clinical practice behind him in California and Arizona. His focus stays on prevention, from early infancy through adolescence, built on regular visits, home care and a sensible diet.
Insurance & Financing
Paying for a child's care should be the easy part. We accept all major credit cards, cash and personal checks, offer financing, and work in-network with most major dental insurance plans, including Medicaid. Our staff submits the insurance paperwork so you do not have to.
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 Westchester, and how do I get there?
The office is 2.6 miles from the Kern River Parkway trail at the north edge of Westchester, about 6 minutes by car. You take Elm St and F St, follow 30th St east, then head north on Union Ave. Of all the west-side neighborhoods, this one puts parents closest to a pediatric dentist near Westchester who sees only kids.
Is Jastro Park part of the Westchester neighborhood?
Not quite, since Jastro Park sits just south of 24th St, which locals treat as the line between Westchester and the Jastro district. It is still close by for many families. The park was created in 1917 and offers a spray park, a playground and an outdoor amphitheater, a handy reward after a checkup.
Can a Westchester parent fit a child's visit into a downtown lunch hour?
Often, yes, because each leg of the drive is only about 6 minutes. Parents working near downtown can pick up a child, finish a routine visit and return without losing the whole afternoon. Booking a midday slot early in the week gives you the most choices, since we are open Monday through Thursday.
Does 24th Street traffic slow the drive from Westchester to the office?
Usually not, because the common route uses F St and 30th St rather than 24th St. That keeps you clear of the widened six-lane corridor along the neighborhood's southern edge. Rush hour can still add a few minutes on Union Ave, so allow a small cushion for late-afternoon appointments.
Is the $99 cleaning offer open to Westchester families without insurance?
Yes, new patients without insurance can book the $99 Cleaning, Exam & X-Ray special. It covers a first cleaning, an exam and digital x-rays. Families with coverage can use their plan instead, since we are in-network with most major dental insurance, Medicaid included, and handle the claims.
Schedule Your Visit from Westchester
Booking with a pediatric dentist near Westchester is as quick as the drive itself. Call 661-485-4991, and our Spanish-speaking team will help you choose a time, or send a note through our contact page. You can also explore the areas we serve or return to our Pediatric Dentist Bakersfield, CA homepage.
