Convenient Access from Rexland Acres
Families in Rexland Acres can reach Trunkey Dental, just north of downtown Bakersfield, in about 16 minutes, most of it a steady northbound run on South Union Avenue. Parents who want a dentist near Rexland Acres for themselves and their kids will find Dr. Donald Trunkey's general and family practice ready for checkups, cleanings and fillings at every age. Mornings start at 8:00 AM, Monday through Thursday.
From Fairview Elementary on East Fairview Road, work your way out on Malibar Avenue and Sparks Street, then follow East Fairview Road west to South Union Avenue (Business 99). Turn right and stay north for roughly 5 miles as South Union becomes Golden State Avenue and then Union Avenue. Turn left on 34th Street, then right on San Dimas Street to arrive at 3807 San Dimas St Ste A, Bakersfield, CA 93301, close to Memorial Hospital. Expect about 7.4 miles and 16 minutes behind the wheel.
Tap the office on Google Maps to start navigation. Our pages for Greenfield and Casa Loma describe the trip from those nearby communities.
A Young, Family-Filled Enclave in South Bakersfield
Rexland Acres is a small unincorporated community in Kern County, about half a square mile beside Union Avenue and roughly 5 miles south of downtown. The City of Bakersfield wraps around it almost entirely. East Fairview Road runs through the middle, and Panama Lane lies just to the south. The 2020 census was the first to list it as a census-designated place, with about 3,560 residents.
It is a notably young community. The median age was around 28 in 2020, a third of residents were under 18, and more than half of households had children at home. Most homes are owner-occupied, and many were built in the 1960s.
School life centers on Fairview Elementary, a Greenfield Union School District campus that opened in 1980, with Rexland Acres Park right next door. Crescent Elementary sits to the south, and Del Oro High School opened in August 2022 just southeast of the community.
Protecting Growing Smiles in Rexland Acres Homes
With so many children in the community, prevention is where dental care pays off most. Baby teeth hold space for adult teeth, and a cavity left untreated can cause pain, infection and trouble eating. Regular cleanings and exams let Dr. Trunkey spot weak areas while they are still easy to fix.
When the six-year and twelve-year molars arrive, their deep grooves trap food and plaque. Thin protective sealants painted onto those chewing surfaces help keep decay out of the hardest-to-brush spots. They work alongside daily brushing, not instead of it.
Snacks and drinks matter as much as brushing. Frequent juice, sports drinks and soda bathe teeth in sugar and acid throughout the day. Saving sweet drinks for mealtimes and offering water in between is one of the simplest habits a family can adopt.
Teenagers bring their own challenges. Late-night snacking, energy drinks and skipped brushing during busy school years can undo good habits quickly. A cleaning every six months keeps high school and middle-school students accountable, and a short, judgment-free conversation in the chair often does more than reminders at home.
Parents deserve care too. Busy households often put a parent's toothache last on the list until it becomes urgent. Planning a parent's cleaning in the same week as the kids' checkups keeps everyone on track.
Family Dental Care With a Dentist Near Rexland Acres
Fillings
Cavities are common in young households, and small ones are quick to repair. Treating decay early protects both baby teeth and the new permanent teeth growing in behind them.
General & Family Dentistry
Routine exams for children, teenagers and parents under one roof. A single family office keeps every chart, reminder and x-ray in one place.
Cleanings & Digital X-Rays
Professional cleanings remove plaque that young brushers miss, and digital x-rays reveal decay hiding between teeth. Twice-yearly visits keep small problems from becoming painful ones.
Root Canals
When deep decay reaches the nerve of an adult tooth, a root canal can save it instead of pulling it. Prompt care for a throbbing tooth often means a simpler visit.
Older teens and young adults in Rexland Acres often move from a parent's insurance or school-age routine to managing their own care. Keeping them with the same family office through that change can make it easier for them to stay on schedule with cleanings.
Meet Your Bakersfield Dental Team
Dr. Donald Trunkey leads a team that follows sterilization procedures exceeding CDC guidelines, with handpieces and instruments heat-sterilized after each use. Front desk coordinator Migdalia and Andrea, who has more than 20 years in the dental field, greet patients when they arrive.
Insurance, Membership & Financing
Trunkey Dental participates with Delta Dental, Cigna and Careington and accepts many other plans, but it does not take Medi-Cal, Kern Family or other government programs. Uninsured new patients may qualify for an $89 cleaning, exam and x-ray visit if they show no signs of gum disease, as Dr. Trunkey's exam confirms. Insurance and financing details, including CareCredit and Cherry, are on our office information page.
What Patients Say
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Trunkey Dental from Rexland Acres, and how do I get there?
Expect roughly 7.4 miles and 16 minutes from Rexland Acres to Trunkey Dental. Take East Fairview Road to South Union Avenue, drive north until it becomes Union Avenue, then turn onto 34th Street and San Dimas Street. Families wanting a dentist near Rexland Acres spend most of that trip on a single northbound road.
Do cavities in baby teeth really need to be filled?
Usually, yes. Baby teeth stay in place for years, some until around age 12, and they guide adult teeth into position. An untreated cavity can grow, cause pain or infection, and even affect the permanent tooth underneath. A small filling is typically quick and keeps the child comfortable until the tooth falls out naturally.
When should my child start using fluoride toothpaste?
As soon as the first tooth appears. For children under 3, use only a smear about the size of a grain of rice. From about age 3 to 6, a pea-sized amount is enough, and an adult should supervise so the child spits rather than swallows. Brushing twice a day matters more than the brand.
Is thumb-sucking harmful to my child's teeth?
It can be if it continues too long. Most children stop on their own by about age 4, and sucking before then rarely causes lasting problems. Strong, frequent sucking after permanent teeth start coming in can push front teeth forward or affect how the jaws line up, so it is worth mentioning at a checkup.
How can I keep juice and soda from damaging my kids' teeth?
Limit how often they sip, not just how much. Serving sweet drinks with meals, using a straw, and switching to water between meals cuts the number of acid attacks on the enamel. Rinsing with water afterward helps too. Avoid letting children carry juice or soda around all day or take it to bed.
Schedule Your Visit from Rexland Acres
Booking checkups for the whole household with a dentist near Rexland Acres is simple: call (661) 426-2506 or use online scheduling at a time that suits you. Neighboring communities are listed on our areas we serve page, and our Dentist Bakersfield, CA homepage has more about the practice.
