Convenient Access from Westchester
Westchester's tree-lined streets sit about 7 minutes from Trunkey Dental, a general practice tucked into the blocks north of downtown Bakersfield. Homeowners who want a dentist near Westchester for crowns, gum care or a long-overdue cleaning can make the trip on side streets without going near the freeway. Dr. Donald Trunkey has led the practice since 1981.
Begin at the Kern River Parkway Bike Trail near Amber Court, on the neighborhood's river edge. Take Elm Street north until it becomes Golden State Road, turn south on F Street, then east on 30th Street to the roundabout at Chester Avenue. Go north on Chester briefly, east on 34th Street and north on Q Street, then turn east on 38th Street; the drive covers about 2.6 miles and passes close to Memorial Hospital near the end.
The office address is 3807 San Dimas St Ste A, Bakersfield, CA 93301. View our Google Maps listing to map the drive from your own block. We also serve neighbors in Downtown Bakersfield and Oildale just east of Chester Avenue and across the river.
Westchester Homeowners and a Practice With Deep Roots
Westchester takes its name from its position west of Chester Avenue, and it is one of the original neighborhoods inside the City of Bakersfield, in Kern County. Developer C. Elmer Houchin built much of it out of roughly 300 "stump-littered" acres, starting with a tract he bought in 1945. Houchin also founded what became the Houchin Community Blood Bank.
The house at 2500 Beech Street shows how the area began. It was among the first homes built here and was unveiled in 1949 as a showcase home patterned after the house in the film "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House." Today it remains a private residence, surrounded by large homes and mature trees.
A neighborhood like this tends to keep its residents for decades, and the same is true of Trunkey Dental. Dr. Trunkey and his wife, Kathy, bought the practice in 1981, and the team brings years of experience in the dental field. Westchester patients who value a long relationship with one dentist will find that here.
Caring for Teeth That Have Done Decades of Work in Westchester
Many Westchester residents have lived in their homes for a long time, and their dental work has aged along with them. Fillings placed in the 1980s and 1990s can crack, leak or wear down, and teeth around them may weaken. Gums often recede with age, which exposes root surfaces that decay more easily.
The practical answer is steady maintenance rather than waiting for something to break. A careful exam looks at every older restoration, and digital x-rays show decay hiding underneath it. An oral cancer screening during the visit checks the tongue, cheeks and throat for changes that adults of any age should not ignore.
Replacing a tooth is a common question for this neighborhood as well. A missing molar lets the teeth beside it drift, and chewing shifts to the other side of the mouth. Implants, bridges and dentures each solve that problem differently, and Dr. Trunkey talks through the trade-offs so you can choose with clear information.
Daily life here often runs along the river. The Kern River Parkway, a 6,000-acre city parkway, follows Westchester's northern edge, and its bike path stretches from Alfred Harrell Highway in the northeast to Enos Lane in the southwest. It gives residents a long, flat route for walking or cycling close to home.
Franklin Elementary sits at Westchester's southern edge, and Jastro Park is nearby. Parents moving into the neighborhood can bring the whole family to one office for checkups.
Restorative and Preventive Care From a Dentist Near Westchester
Crowns & Bridges
Large old fillings eventually leave a tooth fragile. A crown wraps and strengthens what remains, and a bridge spans the space where a tooth was lost, both shaped to blend with your smile.
Dental Implants
An implant replaces a missing tooth root and supports a natural-looking crown without relying on neighboring teeth. Dr. Trunkey has taken continuing education in implant dentistry.
Gum Disease
Receding or puffy gums become more common as adults age. Deep cleanings and closer follow-up help control gum disease before it loosens teeth.
Porcelain Veneers
Worn, chipped or stained front teeth can make a smile look older than you feel. Veneers cover the front surfaces with thin porcelain for a fresher appearance.
Cleanings & Digital X-Rays
Routine cleanings protect the crowns and bridges you already have. Digital x-rays let Dr. Trunkey check under older restorations where decay often starts unseen.
Meet Your Bakersfield Dental Team
Dr. Donald Trunkey completed an eight-year Advanced Dental Education course at the Pankey Institute in Florida, which focused on bite problems and jaw issues such as TMJ. That training centered on how the teeth come together, which matters whenever a crown or bridge is planned.
Insurance, Membership & Financing
For patients with a history of gum disease, the Periodontal Membership Plan includes three to four professional cleanings a year, about every three to four months. The office participates with Delta Dental, Cigna and Careington and accepts many other plans. CareCredit and Cherry can help with larger restorative work.
What Patients Say
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Trunkey Dental from Westchester, and how do I get there?
The drive is about 2.6 miles and takes roughly 7 minutes from the Kern River Parkway near Amber Court. You follow Elm Street, Golden State Road and F Street, then 30th Street, Chester Avenue, 34th Street and Q Street to 38th Street. Residents who want a dentist near Westchester can make the whole trip on surface streets.
Should I replace an old silver filling that does not hurt?
Not automatically. An older silver filling that is intact and sealed can keep working for years, and replacing it removes some healthy tooth each time. It is worth replacing when it is cracked, leaking, or has decay forming underneath, which digital x-rays and an exam can reveal. Dr. Trunkey's approach is to do only the dentistry a tooth actually needs.
Can grinding my teeth at night crack older fillings?
Yes. Nighttime grinding and clenching put heavy force on teeth, and older fillings and the enamel around them are often the first to chip or crack. Morning jaw soreness, flattened edges and new sensitivity are common warning signs. Dr. Trunkey's Pankey Institute training centered on bite and jaw problems, so he checks how your teeth meet as well as the fillings themselves.
How often should I have cleanings after treatment for gum disease?
Usually more often than twice a year. Patients with a history of gum disease, or who have had scaling and root planing, often need professional cleanings every three to four months to keep bacteria under control. Uninsured patients can cover that schedule with the Periodontal Membership Plan, which includes three to four cleanings a year. Dr. Trunkey sets the interval after checking your gums.
Can an old crown with a dark line at the gum be replaced?
Yes. A dark line near the gum usually appears when gums recede from an older crown with a metal base, exposing the edge. Replacing it with a new crown can improve the look and seal the tooth again. Dr. Trunkey first checks the tooth underneath, since decay sometimes forms at the edge of an older crown.
Schedule Your Visit from Westchester
Choosing a dentist near Westchester is easier when the office is only a short drive from home. Call (661) 426-2506 to set up an exam, or use online scheduling. See all the communities we care for on our Areas We Serve page, or start at our Dentist Bakersfield, CA homepage.
