Convenient Access from Greenfield
Union Avenue does nearly all the work on the 17-minute drive from Greenfield to Trunkey Dental, a general and family practice in Bakersfield. For households that want a dentist near Greenfield, our office pairs one consistent dentist, Dr. Donald Trunkey, with a team that brings years of dental experience. The emphasis is practical care that keeps teeth healthy without piling on treatment.
From McKee Middle School at 205 McKee Road, count on about 8.9 miles. Take McKee Road to South Union Avenue and drive north for around seven miles through south Bakersfield. Union Avenue briefly joins Golden State Avenue, then continues north for almost a mile; turn west on 34th Street and right on San Dimas Street.
You will find us at 3807 San Dimas St Ste A, Bakersfield, CA 93301, a short distance from Memorial Hospital on 34th Street. Pull up directions in Google Maps if it is your first trip. Families in Rexland Acres, just to the north, and in Casa Loma use the same Union Avenue spine.
Where Greenfield Families Find a Steady Dental Home
Before it was Greenfield, this stretch of Union Avenue was Delkern, a name drawn from "Kern Delta" when the post office opened in 1949. That post office still carries the old name. The community first appeared as a census-designated place in 2010, and it is not to be confused with the Greenfield in Monterey County.
The 2020 census counted about 3,400 residents on flat valley ground about seven miles south of Bakersfield. About two-thirds of homes are owner-occupied, the average household holds 3.3 people, and more than four in ten households include children. Lamont lies to the east-southeast, and the city limits press right up against the community's western edge.
Larger households tend to need a dental office that can keep track of everyone. At Trunkey Dental, every exam is done by Dr. Trunkey himself, so the person who reviewed a parent's x-rays last year is the same one checking a teenager's molars this year. Andrea at the front desk has more than 20 years in dentistry, which helps when several family members need appointments.
The county library bookmobile stops at Greenfield Park on Audrey Avenue on Thursday afternoons. Weekly routines like that shape when families can get away, so office hours matter. Appointments begin at 8:00 AM Monday through Thursday, and Friday visits run until noon.
Gum Health and Prevention for Greenfield Households
The Greenfield Union School District runs McKee Middle School, which opened in August 2003 and enrolled 822 students in 2025-26. For children that age, thin sealants on the back teeth help block decay in the deep grooves where food collects. Regular cleanings and exams then keep an eye on those surfaces as permanent molars come in.
Gum disease is the quieter concern for adults. It often starts with gums that bleed during brushing and can progress without much pain, which is why routine checkups matter even when nothing hurts. When the office measures pocket depths and sees early warning signs, treatment can begin before the bone and tissue around the teeth are affected.
For patients who have already had gum treatment, the Periodontal Membership Plan bundles three to four professional cleanings a year, roughly every three to four months. That rhythm is meant for people with a history of gum disease or previous scaling and root planing.
Adults who clench their teeth, or who carry older fillings that are starting to wear, benefit from the same steady checkups. Dr. Trunkey's guiding idea is that the least dentistry that solves a problem is usually the right choice. Small repairs come first whenever they will do the job, which keeps more of each natural tooth in place for the long run.
Practical Treatments From a Dentist Near Greenfield
Gum Disease
From early gingivitis to deeper pockets, gum treatment aims to stop infection and protect the bone that holds teeth in place. Regular follow-up keeps the results on track.
Fillings
A filling repairs a cavity and seals the tooth against further decay. Catching a cavity early means less tooth is removed, and the visit itself is usually shorter.
Cleanings & Digital X-Rays
Each cleaning removes hardened buildup, and digital x-rays help Dr. Trunkey spot problems hidden between teeth or under old work. For a busy Greenfield family, these visits are the foundation of everything else.
Dentures
Full or partial dentures replace several missing teeth so grandparents and other older relatives can chew and speak with confidence. Adjustments over time keep the fit comfortable.
General & Family Dentistry
One dental home can serve the youngest and oldest members of a household. Keeping the whole family at a single office makes records, reminders and billing simpler.
Meet Your Bakersfield Dental Team
Dr. Donald Trunkey has practiced dentistry since 1981, the year he and his wife, Kathy, bought this practice. Hygiene visits are handled by Fatima, a registered dental hygienist, and Leilani, a dental hygienist, while team leader Melanie has worked in the field since 2001.
Insurance, Membership & Financing
The office participates with Delta Dental, Cigna and Careington and accepts many other plans, but it does not take Medi-Cal, Kern Family or other government assistance programs. New patients without insurance may qualify for the $89 cleaning, exam and x-ray special if they show no signs of gum disease; pockets of 5 mm or more may not qualify, and the exam decides. CareCredit and Cherry are available for larger treatment.
What Patients Say
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Trunkey Dental from Greenfield, and how do I get there?
McKee Middle School is about 8.9 miles from Trunkey Dental, and the drive takes roughly 17 minutes. Most of it is a straight run north on Union Avenue, finishing on 34th Street and San Dimas Street. If you are choosing a dentist near Greenfield, the route has no freeway driving and no tolls.
What are the early warning signs of gum disease?
The most common early signs are gums that bleed when you brush or floss, redness, swelling and persistent bad breath. Later, gums may pull back from the teeth or teeth may feel loose. Many people notice little pain at first, so regular exams that measure gum pockets are the most reliable way to catch it.
Who is the Periodontal Membership Plan meant for?
It is meant for patients without insurance who have a history of gum disease or have had scaling and root planing. The plan includes three to four professional cleanings a year, about every three to four months, which is more often than a standard schedule. The front desk can explain current details and how to enroll.
How does the office keep instruments clean and safe?
Handpieces and instruments are heat-sterilized after each use. The practice states that its sterilization procedures exceed CDC guidelines, a standard meant to keep every patient protected. Anyone with questions about infection control can bring them up when booking or at the start of the visit, before any treatment begins.
Who will clean my teeth at my appointment?
Your cleaning is usually done by one of the practice's hygienists, Fatima, a registered dental hygienist, or Leilani, a dental hygienist. Dr. Trunkey then completes the exam and reviews any x-rays with you. With one dentist and a small team, your history stays in one chart from visit to visit.
Schedule Your Visit from Greenfield
A straight drive up Union Avenue brings you to a dentist near Greenfield who has cared for Kern County smiles for more than four decades. Reach the office at (661) 426-2506 or request a time online. Our full list of communities shows the other areas we serve, and the Dentist Bakersfield, CA homepage covers the practice in more depth.
