Convenient Access from Shafter
Kinder Pediatric Dental sits about 24 minutes from downtown Shafter, on Union Ave in Bakersfield, and it is a practice devoted entirely to children. That is a longer trip than a quick errand, and we will not pretend otherwise. Many parents who search for a pediatric dentist in Shafter, CA still choose us, because a children's specialist offers things a general office may not, such as sedation options and experience caring for kids with special needs.
From Shafter City Hall at 336 Pacific Avenue, follow Pacific Avenue to a brief stretch of Central Valley Highway (SR-43), then turn east on Lerdo Highway for about six miles of open farm country. At SR-99, head south for roughly nine miles, exit onto Golden State Avenue (SR-204) and continue southeast. From there, 30th Street east and Union Avenue bring you to 3130 Union Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93305. The full trip runs close to 19 miles.
Save the office on Google Maps so the freeway exits are easy to follow. Families who split their week between home and the northwest side of Bakersfield may also like our pages for Rosedale and Riverlakes.
Why Parents Make the Drive From Shafter
The trip makes the most sense when a child needs more than a quick cleaning. A youngster with strong dental fears, a toddler with several cavities or a child with sensory or developmental needs often does better with a pediatric specialist. Our office offers nitrous oxide, oral sedation and general anesthesia, and the choice is based on age, health and anxiety level. For those families, twenty-some minutes on the road is a fair trade for a calmer visit.
It also helps that many local parents already travel toward Bakersfield for work, shopping or appointments. The town's economy still rests on cotton, potatoes, almonds and pistachios, and large distribution centers have added a new set of jobs and commutes. If one parent is already heading down SR-99, pairing a dental visit with that trip saves a second drive.
We see patients Monday through Thursday from 8 AM to 5 PM and close Friday through Sunday. Many parents plan the visit around a day off or a school break. Booking siblings together turns one long drive into a single, efficient morning.
A little planning makes the longer ride easier on kids. Pack a favorite book or toy for the car, and talk about the visit in simple, upbeat words the day before. Let your child know the team will count teeth and show them the tools first. Children who know what to expect usually walk in with more curiosity than worry.
A Young, Growing City With Lots of Little Teeth
Shafter began as a loading dock on the Santa Fe Railroad, with lots first sold in 1914, and it was named for General William Rufus Shafter, who led American forces in the Spanish-American War. The city incorporated in 1938. Today it is one of the younger cities in Kern County, with nearly a third of residents under 18 and more than half of households raising children. That is a lot of baby teeth, loose teeth and brand-new molars.
Most younger students attend the Richland School District, which runs Golden Oak, Redwood and Sequoia elementary schools for kindergarten through sixth grade, plus Richland Junior High. Older teens head to Shafter High School, officially founded in 1928. Planning checkups around the school calendar, such as one in summer and one over winter break, keeps kids from missing class for the longer drive.
Harvest seasons and long workdays can make it hard to keep up with six-month visits. When appointments slip, small cavities can grow quietly in the back teeth that children find hardest to brush. Setting the next date before you leave the office makes the habit much easier to keep. That way the drive stays a twice-a-year routine instead of an urgent trip.
Families here have plenty of places to spend a free afternoon. The Shafter Library & Learning Center on James Street is open weekdays from 8 AM to 7 PM. The Minter Field Air Museum at the city's airport tells the story of a field that opened in 1941 and trained World War II pilots, and in 1977 it was where the Gossamer Condor made the first successful human-powered flight to win the Kremer Prize. The Shafter Depot Museum and the historic Green Hotel round out a short list of hometown treasures.
What Parents Seeking a Pediatric Dentist in Shafter, CA Can Expect
Pediatric Dentistry
Checkups, cleanings, digital x-rays and fillings make up most visits. When you are driving in from out of town, we aim to cover as much as makes sense in one appointment.
Dental Sedation
Sedation is the main reason some families travel to a specialist. Nitrous oxide, oral sedation and general anesthesia let anxious kids complete treatment more comfortably.
Care for Kids With Special Needs
Children with special needs get extra time, a patient approach and a plan built around how they handle new places. Sedation is also an option when it helps.
Pulpotomy
A deep cavity in a baby tooth does not always mean losing it. A pulpotomy treats the inflamed nerve tissue so the tooth can keep holding space for the adult tooth.
Meet Your Child's Pediatric Dentist
With almost 30 years of clinical practice in California and Arizona, Dr. Edward Dove has treated a wide range of young patients. He also serves as a staff pediatric dentist at Maniilaq Hospital in Kotzebue, Alaska. Across those years his focus has stayed on prevention, which means fewer cavities to treat and fewer extra trips for your family.
Insurance & Financing
Financing is available, and we accept all major credit cards, cash and personal checks. We are also in-network with most major dental insurance plans, including Medicaid, and we submit the paperwork for you. New patients without insurance can book our $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 Shafter, and how do I get there?
Our office is about 19 miles from Shafter City Hall, usually around 24 minutes by car. The drive follows Lerdo Highway east, SR-99 south and Golden State Avenue into Bakersfield, finishing on Union Avenue. Parents choosing a pediatric dentist in Shafter, CA should expect the freeway portion to be slower during rush hour.
Is it worth driving from Shafter for a children's dental specialist?
For many families it is, especially when a child needs sedation or has special needs. A pediatric practice is set up for nervous kids, from the approach in the chair to the sedation options. If your child only needs a routine cleaning and handles it well, the decision is simply about what feels right for your family.
Can we fill out paperwork at home before the drive in?
Yes, our new patient forms are online, so you can complete them before you leave town. Arriving with forms done shortens the check-in. Bring your child's insurance card and a list of any medications so the visit can start on time.
When should we leave Shafter to avoid SR-99 delays?
Mid-morning and early afternoon are usually the smoothest times on SR-99. Commuter traffic builds near Bakersfield in the early morning and again late in the afternoon. A mid-morning or early-afternoon appointment usually means a calmer drive and still gets kids back home in time for the end of the school day.
Do Richland Junior High students still see a pediatric dentist?
Yes, pediatric dentistry covers children through adolescence, so junior high and high school students are welcome. Teens face their own challenges, like snacking between classes and sports practice. Dr. Dove's prevention-first approach continues through those years, with steady checkups and coaching that helps older kids take charge of their own brushing.
Schedule Your Visit from Shafter
If your search for a pediatric dentist in Shafter, CA has led you here, our Union Ave office is ready to welcome your child. Call 661-485-4991 to plan a visit that fits your week. You can explore every community we serve on the Areas We Serve page or read more about our Pediatric Dentist Bakersfield, CA practice.
