Convenient Access from Casa Loma
About 10 minutes up Union Avenue is all that separates Casa Loma from Trunkey Dental, a general and family practice in central Bakersfield led by Dr. Donald Trunkey since 1981. Anyone searching for a dentist near Casa Loma can count on a plain, direct drive with no freeway merges. We see adults, teens and children for checkups, repairs and cosmetic care, all under one roof.
Start near the middle of the neighborhood on Adams Street, close to Lomita Drive, and follow Adams to South Union Avenue. Turn right and stay on South Union Avenue (Business 99) heading north; it becomes Golden State Avenue for a short stretch before Union Avenue carries you on toward 34th Street. Turn left on 34th Street near Memorial Hospital, then right on San Dimas Street to reach 3807 San Dimas St Ste A, Bakersfield, CA 93301. The whole trip runs about 4 miles, roughly 10 minutes.
Open the office pin on Google Maps before you leave. If relatives live a little closer in, our pages for Downtown Bakersfield and East Bakersfield cover their drives.
A Small Pocket of Southeast Bakersfield With an Easy Run North
Casa Loma is an unincorporated community in Kern County, covering well under half a square mile in southeast Bakersfield. Casa Loma Drive marks its southern edge, East Belle Terrace sits near its northern edge, and South Union Avenue runs along its west side. Cottonwood borders it to the east. The 2020 census was the first to count it as its own census-designated place, with about 1,800 residents.
Because South Union Avenue runs right along the community's west side, reaching us takes little planning. Most of the trip is one north-south road, South Union Avenue and then Union Avenue, with no freeway on-ramps. You stay on one corridor from your street to ours.
Many homes here are rentals (about two in three, per census estimates). For residents with a work shift to plan around, the office opens at 8:00 AM Monday through Thursday and keeps Friday mornings until noon, so a cleaning can happen before a shift starts. Online scheduling on our website lets you choose a time without waiting on hold.
Families with kids at Casa Loma Elementary, just across Casa Loma Drive and part of the Bakersfield City School District, can bring the whole household to one office. Parents, grandparents and children all see Dr. Trunkey, which saves juggling several schedules and sets of records.
Common Dental Worries We Help Neighbors Sort Out
For many patients the bigger worry is not pain. It is uncertainty about what a sore or sensitive tooth means and how big the fix will be. Dr. Trunkey starts with an exam and digital x-rays, then lays out what he sees in plain terms, so you know what is urgent and what can wait.
He holds to a simple idea: do the least treatment that solves the problem well. That means catching a small cavity with a modest filling rather than letting it grow into a crown. It also means you will hear the reasons behind each recommendation before you agree to anything.
Budget is the other recurring question, especially for patients without dental insurance. For them, an in-house membership plan spreads routine care across the year, and new patients without insurance may qualify for a reduced first visit, explained further down this page.
Some people put off care because sitting in the chair makes them nervous. Conscious sedation is available for those patients; trained staff monitor you throughout, and you will need someone to drive you home afterward.
Repairs and Checkups With a Dentist Near Casa Loma
Cleanings & Digital X-Rays
A routine cleaning removes the hardened buildup that brushing misses, and digital x-rays show what is happening between and under teeth. For adults returning after a long gap, this visit is the natural starting point.
Fillings
Small cavities are far simpler to fix than large ones. A filling now protects the tooth and keeps the repair modest, which matches Dr. Trunkey's preference for doing only what is needed.
Root Canals
When decay or a crack reaches the nerve, a root canal can save the natural tooth instead of removing it. A lingering ache that wakes you at night is a reason to call rather than wait it out.
Crowns & Bridges
A crown covers a weakened or heavily filled tooth, and a bridge fills the gap where a tooth is missing. Both restore chewing comfort, so a full meal no longer means favoring one side.
General & Family Dentistry
Checkups, exams and preventive care for every age in the household. One family dental home keeps everyone's records and recall reminders in a single place.
Meet Your Bakersfield Dental Team
Dr. Donald Trunkey started dental school with broken teeth of his own and remembers being embarrassed to smile. That memory shapes how he treats anyone who arrives feeling self-conscious. Team leader Melanie has worked in dentistry since 2001.
Insurance, Membership & Financing
New patients without insurance may qualify for an $89 cleaning, exam and x-ray visit if they show no signs of gum disease; pockets of 5 mm or deeper may not qualify, and Dr. Trunkey's exam decides. The office participates with Delta Dental, Cigna and Careington and accepts many other plans. CareCredit and Cherry help with larger treatment.
What Patients Say
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Trunkey Dental from Casa Loma, and how do I get there?
Trunkey Dental is about 4 miles from Casa Loma, roughly a 10-minute drive. Head north on South Union Avenue, continue on Union Avenue, then turn left on 34th Street and right on San Dimas Street. For anyone wanting a dentist near Casa Loma without freeway driving, the trip stays on surface streets from start to finish.
How do I know whether a sore tooth needs a filling or a root canal?
Only an exam and an x-ray can tell. A small cavity that stays in the outer layers usually needs just a filling. If decay or a crack has reached the nerve, you may notice lingering sensitivity or throbbing, and a root canal may be the way to save the tooth.
Can a cavity heal on its own?
Not once a true hole has formed. Very early weak spots in the enamel can sometimes harden again with fluoride and better brushing, but decay that has broken through the surface keeps spreading. A filling removes the damaged part and seals the tooth before the problem reaches the nerve and needs bigger treatment.
What should I do if a filling falls out?
Call the office soon and keep the area clean. Brush gently, avoid chewing on that side, and skip very hot, cold or sticky foods until you are seen. A lost filling leaves the tooth open to new decay and breakage, so it is worth repairing promptly even when it does not hurt.
Should I see a dentist for a tooth that only hurts when I bite down?
Yes. Pain that appears only when you chew often points to a cracked tooth, a loose or broken filling, or decay under an old restoration. These problems usually grow worse with time. An exam and digital x-rays can find the cause, and an early repair is often simpler than waiting for constant pain.
Schedule Your Visit from Casa Loma
Your next checkup with a dentist near Casa Loma is a phone call away at (661) 426-2506, or you can reserve a time online. Neighboring communities are listed on our areas we serve page, and our Dentist Bakersfield, CA homepage tells the full story of the practice.
