Convenient Access from Rosedale
One long, straight road links Rosedale to Trunkey Dental: follow it east and you reach our Bakersfield office in roughly 16 minutes. Families who want a dentist near Rosedale will find a general and family practice where every exam is done by the same person, Dr. Donald Trunkey. He bought the practice with his wife, Kathy, in January 1981, and the office still follows his no-guilt, less-is-more approach.
From Rosedale Middle School at 12463 Rosedale Highway, the trip is about 8.4 miles. Drive east on the highway until it becomes 24th Street inside the city, stay with 24th and 23rd Streets through the center of town, then bear right back onto 24th Street. Turn left on Q Street, go north to 38th Street, and you are at the San Dimas Street corner.
Our door is at 3807 San Dimas St Ste A, Bakersfield, CA 93301, a few blocks north of Memorial Hospital on 34th Street. Tap our Google Maps listing for turn-by-turn help. Greenacres, just east of the community, shares the same highway corridor into town, and Riverlakes has its own directions page.
A Long-Standing Practice for Rosedale's Growing Neighborhoods
Rosedale began in 1891 as a colony of English farmers, and for years it was a country town with its own post office. Today it is an unincorporated community in Kern County, west of the city limits, where the old country town is now surrounded by suburban housing. The 2020 census counted about 18,600 residents, up by roughly a third from 2010. Centennial Elementary on Westdale Drive, with Westdale Park right beside it, is one of many schools that newer families come to know.
Most homes here are owner-occupied, married couples head most households, and many of those homes include children. People who plan to stay put tend to want a dental office they can keep for years. Dr. Trunkey has practiced in the same city for more than four decades, so a Rosedale family can build a long record with one dentist rather than starting over every few years.
The office runs from 8:00 AM to 5 PM Monday through Thursday and from 8:00 AM to noon on Friday. An early slot lets parents finish a checkup and still reach work, while a Friday morning visit wraps up by noon. Online scheduling on the practice website makes it easy to request a time when the house is finally quiet.
Inside the office, safety gets the same care as the dentistry. Handpieces and instruments are heat-sterilized after each use, and the practice says its sterilization procedures exceed CDC guidelines. Familiar faces help too: Andrea at the front desk has more than 20 years of experience, and Melanie, the team leader, has worked in the field since 2001.
Keeping Rosedale Kids and Parents on Top of Their Oral Health
The Rosedale Union School District has taught local children since its roots in an 1890 school district, and today it covers TK through eighth grade across about 28 square miles. With so many school-age kids in local homes, back-to-school season is a natural reminder to book cleanings. Thin protective sealants on the chewing surfaces of back molars are one simple way to guard against cavities in grooves that toothbrushes miss.
Parents deserve the same attention. Busy adults often notice a problem only when a tooth starts to ache, and by then a small filling may have grown into something larger. Regular exams with digital x-rays let Dr. Trunkey spot decay and gum changes early, when the fix is usually smaller.
Nervous patients have options as well. Conscious sedation is available for people who find dental work stressful; you will need someone to drive you home, and trained staff monitor you throughout. Dr. Trunkey's "NO GUILT" rule also means nobody hears a lecture about how long it has been since the last cleaning.
For a new patient without insurance, the $89 cleaning, exam and x-ray special can make that first appointment more approachable. It applies to patients who show no signs of periodontal (gum) disease; pocket depths of 5 mm or more may not qualify, and Dr. Trunkey's exam decides eligibility.
Family Treatments From a Dentist Near Rosedale
General & Family Dentistry
Children, parents and grandparents can all be seen at one office. For a busy household with several schedules to coordinate, keeping everyone with the same dentist cuts down on paperwork and repeated health histories.
Fillings
When decay shows up, a filling restores the tooth's shape and stops the damage from spreading. Treating a cavity while it is small keeps more natural tooth in place, which matches Dr. Trunkey's conservative approach.
Cleanings & Digital X-Rays
Routine cleanings remove the buildup that brushing leaves behind, and digital x-rays reveal what the eye cannot see between teeth. Twice-a-year visits fit neatly around the school calendar.
Root Canals
A deep infection does not always mean losing the tooth. Root canal treatment clears the infected pulp inside so the tooth can stay in place and keep doing its job.
Gum Disease
Bleeding or puffy gums are worth a closer look. Treatment can include scaling and root planing, and patients with a history of gum problems may benefit from more frequent cleanings afterward.
Not sure which of these you need? A first exam with x-rays gives a clear starting point, and Dr. Trunkey's guiding idea is that the least treatment that solves the problem is usually the right one. He walks through what the images show so you can see the reasons behind any recommendation.
Meet Your Bakersfield Dental Team
Dr. Donald Trunkey earned his bachelor's degree at Loma Linda University and his doctorate at the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, finishing dental school in 1980. A year later he and Kathy took over the Bakersfield practice, and she still serves as its financial officer.
Insurance, Membership & Financing
Delta Dental, Cigna and Careington are among the plans the office participates with, alongside many others it accepts. Medi-Cal, Kern Family and other government assistance programs are not accepted. If treatment costs more than your plan covers, CareCredit and Cherry can spread payments out.
What Patients Say
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Trunkey Dental from Rosedale, and how do I get there?
Our office is about 8.4 miles from Rosedale Middle School, or roughly 16 minutes by car. You drive east on Rosedale Highway, continue on 24th and 23rd Streets, then take Q Street north to 38th Street. For anyone choosing a dentist near Rosedale, there are no freeways or tolls on the way.
Does the membership plan discount apply to fillings and crowns?
Yes, for qualifying restorative treatment. Members of the Standard Membership Plan receive 20% off eligible repair work, while dental implants are not included in the discount. The yearly fee itself covers two regular cleanings, routine exams and x-rays, and the front desk can confirm which procedures qualify before treatment starts.
Is it better to save a badly infected tooth or have it pulled?
Saving the natural tooth is usually the first choice when it can be done. A root canal removes the infection while keeping the tooth's root in the jaw, which helps hold neighboring teeth in position. Dr. Trunkey looks at the x-rays, explains the options and helps you weigh them before anything happens.
What happens during a new-patient exam?
A first visit usually includes a full exam, digital x-rays and a cleaning, followed by a conversation about what Dr. Trunkey sees. Thanks to his "NO GUILT" rule, the focus stays on your teeth today, not on how long it has been. You leave knowing which needs are urgent and which can wait.
How much time should I give the drive from Rosedale during the school rush?
Plan for more than the usual 16 minutes when school is starting or letting out. The highway is lined with traffic signals and gets busy at school and rush hours, so an early start keeps an appointment from feeling hurried. Leaving a few extra minutes also leaves room for paperwork on a first visit.
Schedule Your Visit from Rosedale
Pick up the phone and dial (661) 426-2506, or request a time through online scheduling. A dentist near Rosedale with more than four decades in Bakersfield is one straight drive east. Browse our service areas to see the other neighborhoods we care for, or head to the Dentist Bakersfield, CA homepage for an overview of the office.
