Convenient Access from Downtown Bakersfield
Q Street carries most downtown drivers to Trunkey Dental, and the trip from the Civic Center takes about 6 minutes, ending in the residential blocks north of the city's core. People who work or live in Downtown Bakersfield and want a dentist near Downtown Bakersfield can be seated for a cleaning without crossing town or touching a freeway. Dr. Donald Trunkey has practiced in Bakersfield since 1981, and his office handles everything from routine exams to crowns and whitening.
From Beale Memorial Library at 701 Truxtun Avenue, head east on 16th Street, turn onto Truxtun Avenue for a block, then go north on Q Street. Stay on Q Street for about 1.4 miles, past 24th Street and 34th Street, then turn east on 38th Street to reach San Dimas Street. The whole run is about 1.9 miles, and the Fox Theater and Mill Creek Linear Park sit in the same downtown district where you start.
Our address is 3807 San Dimas St Ste A, Bakersfield, CA 93301, just north of Memorial Hospital on 34th Street. See Trunkey Dental on Google Maps to plan the trip from your office or apartment. We also welcome patients from East Bakersfield and Westchester, the neighborhoods on either side of downtown.
Downtown Bakersfield Workers Have a Practice Close to the Office
Downtown Bakersfield is the city's central business district. Government buildings fill the Civic Center, and the Dignity Health Arena, the McMurtrey Aquatic Center and the Fox Theater draw visitors from across the city. Beale Memorial Library, headquarters of the Kern County Library, sits in the Civic Center.
For people with jobs here, the hardest part of dental care is usually finding the time. Trunkey Dental opens at 8:00 AM Monday through Thursday and stays open until 5:00 PM, and Friday hours run from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. A first-thing cleaning followed by a 6-minute drive back down Q Street can put you at your desk not long after the workday starts.
Dr. Trunkey and his wife, Kathy, bought the practice in January 1981, and Kathy still serves as its financial officer. The practice has had the same owner for more than four decades. Experience runs through the staff as well, with Andrea at the front desk bringing more than 20 years in the dental field.
Dental Habits That Fit a Downtown Bakersfield Workday
Desk jobs and long shifts tend to wear on teeth in predictable ways. Coffee and tea stain enamel, afternoon snacking keeps acid on the teeth for hours, and stress shows up as clenching or grinding. None of these feels urgent, so checkups are easy to let slide for a year or two.
A regular cleaning undoes much of that wear before it adds up. The hygienist removes hardened buildup, digital x-rays show decay between teeth, and Dr. Trunkey checks for cracks or worn fillings. Catching a problem at this stage usually means a small repair instead of a crown.
Appearance matters in client-facing jobs, and small cosmetic fixes are often simpler than people expect. Dental bonding can patch a chipped edge or close a small gap with tooth-colored material, and professional whitening lifts years of coffee stains. For bigger changes, porcelain veneers reshape the front teeth more completely.
Downtown has grown well beyond its roots, too. Thomas Baker settled on the banks of the Kern River in 1863, and his field became the city that now counts more than 400,000 residents. The Kern River once ran through what is now downtown, long before Q Street carried anyone north toward our office.
Treatments Offered by a Dentist Near Downtown Bakersfield
Teeth Whitening
Daily coffee runs between meetings take a toll on enamel. Professional whitening brightens natural teeth more evenly than most store kits, and Dr. Trunkey's continuing education includes whitening techniques.
Cleanings & Digital X-Rays
An 8:00 AM cleaning is one of the easiest ways for a Downtown Bakersfield commuter to stay on schedule. Digital x-rays let Dr. Trunkey spot hidden decay at the same visit.
Porcelain Veneers
Thin porcelain shells bonded to the front teeth can cover deep stains, uneven edges or worn tips. They suit patients who want a lasting change rather than a quick touch-up.
Crowns & Bridges
A crown protects a tooth weakened by a large filling or a crack, and a bridge fills the gap left by a missing tooth. Both restore chewing so a working lunch is comfortable again.
Fillings
Small cavities from snacking at a desk are common and easy to fix early. A filling stops the decay before it spreads and keeps the tooth strong.
Meet Your Bakersfield Dental Team
Patients have trusted Dr. Donald Trunkey with their care since 1981, the year he and Kathy took over the practice. He trained at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, and his staff includes Kelsey, a registered dental assistant since 2009 who now serves as treatment coordinator.
Insurance, Membership & Financing
Delta Dental, Cigna and Careington are among the plans the office participates with, and many other plans are accepted as well. If a treatment plan stretches your budget, CareCredit and Cherry let you spread the cost out. Uninsured patients can also choose an in-house membership plan for routine care.
What Patients Say
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Trunkey Dental from Downtown Bakersfield, and how do I get there?
From Beale Memorial Library, Trunkey Dental is about 1.9 miles away, roughly a 6-minute drive. Take 16th Street and Truxtun Avenue to Q Street, follow Q Street north, then turn east on 38th Street. That makes our office a practical dentist near Downtown Bakersfield for anyone who would rather skip the freeway on the way to an appointment.
Can a chipped front tooth be fixed without a crown?
Often, yes. A small chip can usually be repaired with bonding, where tooth-colored resin is shaped and hardened right on the tooth. A larger break or a chip on a tooth with a big old filling may need a veneer or a crown instead. Dr. Trunkey looks at the size of the chip and the strength of the remaining tooth before recommending an option.
Does professional whitening remove coffee and tea stains?
Yes, in most cases. Coffee and tea leave surface and near-surface stains that respond well to professional whitening, which brightens natural enamel more evenly than most store products. Results last longer when you rinse with water after your morning cup and keep up regular cleanings. Deep internal discoloration may respond less, and veneers are another option for those teeth.
What causes bad breath that brushing does not fix?
Most lasting bad breath starts in the mouth. Plaque along the gumline, early gum disease, a coated tongue, dry mouth and hidden decay are the usual causes, and brushing alone often misses them. A professional cleaning removes hardened buildup, and an exam shows whether gums or a specific tooth need treatment. Cleaning your tongue and drinking water through the workday also help.
Is a veneer or a crown better for a stained front tooth?
It depends on how healthy the tooth is. A veneer covers only the front surface, so it suits a strong tooth whose main problem is color or shape. A crown covers the whole tooth, which is better when a large filling, a crack or a root canal has weakened it. Dr. Trunkey checks the tooth and its fillings before suggesting either one.
Schedule Your Visit from Downtown Bakersfield
A dentist near Downtown Bakersfield is just a straight drive up Q Street. Call (661) 426-2506 or book online for an 8:00 AM start before work. Explore our Areas We Serve page for nearby neighborhoods, or visit our Dentist Bakersfield, CA homepage to learn more about the practice.
