Overview
Finding the right pediatric dentist during a dental emergency can help children receive timely and appropriate care. This guide explores six dental clinics in and around East Bakersfield, CA, comparing their emergency services, opening hours, insurance acceptance, same-day appointments, sedation options, and patient experiences. It highlights Children's Choice Dental Care Bakersfield – East as the recommended option for children's emergency dental care, while also covering alternatives such as Kinder Pediatric Dental and Kern Kids Dental. The guide also provides practical first-aid steps for common dental emergencies, explains when children need hospital emergency care, and offers tips for avoiding unreliable 24/7 emergency dentist listings.
Best Pediatric Dentists in East Bakersfield, CA for Dental Emergencies
Our Pick for Dental Emergencies
The best pediatric dentist in East Bakersfield, CA for dental emergencies is Children's Choice Dental Care Bakersfield – East on White Lane. It's a kids-only office, and the practice says its offices offer same-day appointments. They take Medi-Cal Dental, and if your child is scared, they can use laughing gas or general anesthesia right in the clinic. So an emergency doesn’t have to mean being sent somewhere else. One parent called the day before, and their son was seen the next morning. Two teeth came out quickly, and it went smoothly.
Emergency right now? Do this first:
If an adult tooth gets knocked out, pick it up by the crown, the white part, and try not to touch the root. Rinse it with a little milk instead of tap water. If you can, slip it back into the socket. If not, keep it in a cup of milk. Then get to a dentist fast, because the best chance of saving it is within 15 minutes.
If it’s a baby tooth, don’t put it back in. Just call your dentist.
And if there’s swelling with a fever, trouble breathing, or an injury to the jaw or head, go to the ER or call 911.
Step-by-step first aid for every common emergency is further down this page.
Who to Call When
Every emergency looks a little different. This table can help you work out who to call first.
Situation | Call first | Why |
| Weekday toothache, chipped tooth or swollen gum | Children's Choice – East | Kids-only, same-day appointments, Medi-Cal and sedation in one office |
| A frightened child or a child with special needs who needs treatment | Children's Choice – East, Kinder or Kern Kids | All three offer general anesthesia in the office |
| No insurance and you need to know what's wrong | Kinder Pediatric Dental | $69 emergency exam and X-ray for new patients without insurance |
| It's Saturday | Children's Choice – East or Western Dental | Children's Choice lists Saturday hours on its website; Western Dental opens Saturdays and welcomes walk-ins |
| It's after hours | CaliDental – Mall View | Its website lists an after-hours emergency number |
| Knocked-out adult tooth | Your dentist immediately, or the ER if the office is closed | The tooth has the best chance within 15 minutes |
| Swelling with fever, trouble breathing, or a jaw or head injury | Kern Medical Pediatric ER or 911 | Hospital-level care for problems beyond the teeth |
Clinic Directory
Names, addresses, phone numbers and ratings are taken from each clinic's Google Business Profile, checked on October 28, 2026. Opening hours have their own section further down.
# | Clinic | Address | Phone | Rating |
| 1 | Children's Choice Dental Care Bakersfield – East | 2350 White Ln, Suite C, 93304 | (661) 214-9655 | 4.6 (833) |
| 2 | Kinder Pediatric Dental | 3130 Union Ave, 93305 | (661) 485-4991 | 4.6 (439) |
| 3 | Kern Kids Dental | 3811 San Dimas St, 93301 | (661) 463-8908 | 4.8 (161) |
| 4 | Smileland Dentistry for Kids – Bernard St | 3701 Bernard St, 93306 | (800) 400-3333 | 4.8 (831) |
| 5 | Western Dental & Orthodontics – 24th St | 1201 24th St, 93301 | (661) 281-0148 | 4.4 (1,035) |
| 6 | CaliDental – Mall View | 3761 Mall View Rd, 93306 | (661) 546-9699 | 4.6 (453) |
All addresses are in Bakersfield, CA.
Emergency Readiness: How Each Clinic Compares
Everything in this table comes from each clinic’s own website. “Yes” means the site says so, and “No” means it doesn’t mention it. Give the office a call to confirm before you drive over.
Clinic | Same-day visits | Emergency phone line | Saturday | Medi-Cal | General anesthesia | Kids-only |
| Children's Choice | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Kinder Pediatric Dental | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Kern Kids Dental | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Smileland – Bernard St | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Western Dental – 24th St | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| CaliDental – Mall View | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
What the table shows: Children's Choice is the only kids-only clinic in this guide that publishes same-day visits, Saturday hours, Medi-Cal and in-clinic general anesthesia together. Western Dental and CaliDental offer emergency phone lines, but they are family practices rather than children's specialists. Kinder is the only clinic that publishes an emergency price for uninsured families: $69 for an exam and X-ray.
A Warning About "24/7 Emergency Dentist" Listings
When you search for an emergency dentist in Bakersfield late at night, several Google listings Search for an emergency dentist in Bakersfield late at night and you’ll see several listings named “Emergency Dentist 24/7 Bakersfield,” each marked “Open 24 hours.” They show different addresses around the city, but they all share one toll-free phone number. Several of those addresses belong to unrelated dental offices.
Google reviews of these listings tell a consistent story. Callers describe operators who said no dentist was available within 50 miles, calls that were cut off, and pressure to pay out of pocket with no appointment offered. These appear to be call-center referral services, not dental offices.
Protect your time in an emergency:
The Clinics in Depth
Each profile covers how the clinic handles emergencies and what else it offers. You’ll also find what parents say about it, plus what’s worth knowing before you call. Contact details are in the directory above.
1. Children's Choice Dental Care Bakersfield – East
Children's Choice Dental Care Bakersfield – East is a kids-only dental office on White Lane. It's part of Children's Choice Pediatric Dentistry, a network of more than 25 children's dental offices across California, which also has a second Bakersfield office on the west side. The practice describes its team as award-winning and bilingual.
In an emergency. Children's Choice says its offices offer same-day appointments, and it treats dental emergencies for infants, children, teens and children with special needs, accepting all insurance including Medi-Cal Dental. Once your child is in the chair, the office can usually handle the whole problem there:
- Digital X-rays to find the cause, which the practice says use up to 90% less radiation than film
- Tooth-colored fillings and bonding for chipped or broken teeth; the practice says bonding usually takes about an hour
- Child-sized crowns, including stainless steel crowns for back teeth and white-faced crowns for front teeth
- Extractions for badly damaged or infected teeth, with space maintainers so neighboring teeth don't drift
For children who are frightened or need more extensive treatment, the office offers laughing gas or general anesthesia. A board-certified anesthesiologist gives the anesthesia, and the team is PALS-certified. Sedation visits usually take about 60 to 90 minutes.
If you’re an orthodontic patient and a braces wire breaks, the practice has simple advice. Clip it with fingernail clippers sterilized in alcohol, then call the office the next business day.
Beyond the emergency. The office runs a special needs dentistry program, provides orthodontics including Invisalign, and gives eligible Medi-Cal children a no-cost exam and X-rays every six months. The practice states that its team will never ask about a family's immigration status.
Parents report:
- A family called the day before and was seen the next morning for an emergency; their son had two teeth removed quickly and smoothly.
- The front desk stayed patient and kind, even on a day the air conditioning was out.
- Dr. Sanders is gentle and patient, and the X-ray technician calms children who have never been comfortable with X-rays.
- A child who was terrified of dentists now looks forward to her visits.
Good to know: the website lists hours Monday to Thursday 9 AM–6 PM, Friday 8 AM–4 PM and Saturday 8 AM–5 PM, while Google shows Tuesday to Friday only. Call to confirm, especially on Mondays and Saturdays. The office doesn't publish an after-hours line. Appointments can be booked through the Bakersfield – East page.
2. Kinder Pediatric Dental
Kinder Pediatric Dental is on Union Avenue in East Bakersfield and is led by Dr. Edward Dove, whom Kern County Public Health lists as a pediatric dental specialist. The practice serves families in East Bakersfield, Lamont, Arvin and the wider Bakersfield area, and the staff speak Spanish.
If your child has an emergency, new patients without insurance can get an emergency exam and digital X-ray for $69. That covers a toothache, sore gums or any other dental pain. The dentist finds the source of the problem and puts together a treatment plan.
If the treatment is extensive or your child is very anxious, the office offers laughing gas, oral sedation and IV general anesthesia. A dentist, an anesthesiologist and a nurse watch over your child the whole time.
Beyond the emergency. The practice says it accepts all insurance, including Medicaid, and offers a $99 cleaning, exam and X-ray for new uninsured patients. New-patient forms can be completed online before the visit.
Parents report: families who have trusted Dr. Dove for years, and a dentist who explains each step and answers every question.
Good to know: the office is open Monday to Thursday only and doesn't publish same-day appointments, so call as early in the day as you can.
3. Kern Kids Dental
Kern Kids Dental on San Dimas Street is a pediatric practice led by Dr. Raymond and Dr. Sanjeeta, offering children's dentistry, sedation and orthodontics in one office.
In an emergency. The practice says same-day appointments are available. For urgent problems, it provides tooth-colored fillings, root canals on baby teeth and extractions, with laughing gas and general anesthesia for frightened children. Its special needs care adapts visits for children with developmental, behavioral or physical challenges. Children can relax with blankets, iPads and drawing tablets.
Beyond the emergency. The office offers Invisalign and braces, and a $99 cleaning, exam and X-ray for new uninsured patients. It works with PPO dental plans and offers in-house payment plans, CareCredit financing and discounts for families without insurance.
Parents report: a parent who found the office on Facebook says both children were seen quickly, and another says the team took time to answer every question their son had about his treatment.
Good to know: the office is open Monday to Thursday only, and its website doesn't mention Medi-Cal, so Medi-Cal families should check first.
4. Smileland Dentistry for Kids – Bernard Street
Smileland is a children's dental group with offices across Bakersfield, Delano, Tulare, Visalia and Fresno. Its Bernard Street office serves East and Northeast Bakersfield. It welcomes Denti-Cal, offers laughing gas and braces, and runs school dental check-ups.
In an emergency. Smileland doesn't publish a formal emergency policy, but a parent quoted on its own website describes walking in with a son who had a toothache and having his cleaning and treatment done the same day. Laughing gas is available to calm nervous children during treatment.
Parents report: a nervous son kept calm and treated with no pain, and staff who explain treatment directly to children.
Good to know: the office is open weekdays only, from 8:30 AM to 6 PM, and general anesthesia isn't listed. The Google phone number is a central toll-free line, so mention the Bernard Street office when you call.
5. Western Dental & Orthodontics – 24th Street
Western Dental's 24th Street office is a large family practice near downtown Bakersfield, a short drive west of East Bakersfield. It treats patients of all ages, including young children, with general dentists, specialists and hygienists under one roof.
In an emergency. Western Dental welcomes walk-ins and offers same-day treatment for broken teeth, loose or lost teeth and tooth pain. Its website lists a central phone line to call for dental emergencies. Because root canals, extractions and oral surgery are all done in the same office, a serious problem can often be treated without a referral.
Beyond the emergency. The office accepts Denti-Cal (Medi-Cal Dental) and most insurance plans, offers financing, and provides braces and clear aligners. Its Saturday hours, 8 AM to 4:30 PM, make it one of the few options open on weekends.
Parents report: clear explanations of treatment and costs, and minimal waits for routine visits.
Good to know: it's a family practice rather than a children's specialist, and some reviewers mention long waits for emergency slots on busy days.
6. CaliDental – Mall View
CaliDental's Mall View Road office is a family practice in East Bakersfield, one of several CaliDental locations in the city. Its team includes a children's dental provider, Dr. Bita Kohan, and an orthodontist, Dr. Michael Nedjat-Haiem.
In an emergency. CaliDental's website asks families to call immediately for a child's dental emergency and lists an after-hours emergency number for urgent treatment, which makes it one of the few options when other offices are closed. It also offers laughing gas and IV sedation.
Beyond the emergency. The practice accepts most major insurance plans and Denti-Cal, offers in-house plans for uninsured patients, and works with Sunbit and CareCredit for financing.
Parents report: patients say staff get them in quickly and explain things thoroughly.
Good to know: it's a general practice. One parent felt their toddler's more complex needs were better suited to a pediatric specialist, so children with extensive decay may be better served by a kids-only office.
First Aid: What to Do Before You Reach the Dentist
What you do in the first few minutes can decide whether a tooth is saved. Keep these steps handy, on the fridge or in your phone.
A permanent (adult) tooth was knocked out. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a knocked-out permanent tooth has the best chance of being saved if it goes back in the socket within 15 minutes, and it may still be saved within the first hour.
- Pick the tooth up by the crown, the part you normally see, never by the root.
- Rinse it gently with milk or saline. Don't scrub it, and don't use tap water.
- If you can, place it back in the socket and have your child bite gently on gauze or a clean cloth.
- If it won't go back in, keep it moist in milk, saline or your child's own saliva, and go to a dentist or the ER right away.
A baby tooth was knocked out. Don't try to put it back. Reinserting a baby tooth can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Call your dentist to check the area.
A tooth is chipped or broken. Rinse your child's mouth with warm water, hold a cold compress to the face to limit swelling, and save any broken pieces. Call the dentist the same day.
Toothache. Rinse with warm water and gently floss in case something is stuck between the teeth. Children's pain reliever can be given by mouth, but never put aspirin or a pain reliever directly on the gums, because it can burn the tissue. Book an appointment as soon as possible.
A cut lip, tongue or cheek. Press clean gauze or cloth firmly on the area. If the bleeding hasn't stopped after 15 minutes of steady pressure, go to the ER.
When to Skip the Dentist and Go to the ER
Most dental emergencies belong at the dentist. Some don't. If your child has swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, a fever with facial swelling, trouble breathing or swallowing, a possible broken jaw, a blow to the head, or bleeding that won't stop after 15 minutes of pressure, go to the emergency room or call 911.
Kern Medical, 1700 Mount Vernon Avenue, East Bakersfield. Kern Medical has opened a dedicated Pediatric Emergency Department with child-focused treatment rooms for newborns through teens, according to BakersfieldNow. The Bakersfield Californian reports that the hospital's emergency department is Bakersfield's only trauma center, and that children account for more than 10% of its emergency visits.
After the ER visit: emergency rooms stabilize children and treat pain, infection and injuries, but they usually don't repair teeth. Book a follow-up with a pediatric dentist from this list as soon as possible, ideally the next day.
Opening Hours
Hours as shown on each clinic's Google Business Profile, October 2026. Emergencies often depend on the first open slot, so call as early in the day as you can.
Clinic | Hours |
| Children's Choice – East | Tue–Fri 9 AM–6 PM (Google) · website also lists Mon 9 AM–6 PM and Sat 8 AM–5 PM |
| Kinder Pediatric Dental | Mon–Thu 8 AM–5 PM |
| Kern Kids Dental | Mon–Thu 8 AM–5 PM |
| Smileland – Bernard St | Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–6 PM |
| Western Dental – 24th St | Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat 8 AM–4:30 PM |
| CaliDental – Mall View | Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · after-hours emergency number listed on website |
All six are closed on Sundays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best pediatric dentist in East Bakersfield for a dental emergency?
For most families, Children's Choice Dental Care Bakersfield – East on White Lane. It's a kids-only office that offers same-day appointments, accepts Medi-Cal, and can treat a frightened child under laughing gas or general anesthesia in the clinic. For uninsured families who need a quick diagnosis, Kinder Pediatric Dental's $69 emergency exam and X-ray is the lowest published price.
What should I do if my child knocks out a permanent tooth?
Pick it up by the crown, rinse it gently with milk or saline, and try to place it back in the socket. If you can't, keep it in milk, saline or your child's saliva, never tap water, and get to a dentist or ER right away. The American Academy of Pediatrics says the tooth has the best chance of being saved within 15 minutes, and may still be saved within the first hour.
Should I put a knocked-out baby tooth back in?
No. Reinserting a baby tooth can damage the adult tooth developing underneath. Call your child's dentist to check for other injuries.
Which East Bakersfield kids' dentists see emergencies on Saturday?
Children's Choice lists Saturday hours from 8 AM to 5 PM on its website, so call to confirm. Western Dental on 24th Street is open Saturdays from 8 AM to 4:30 PM and welcomes walk-ins.
Is there an emergency dentist for kids after hours in Bakersfield?
CaliDental's website lists an after-hours emergency number for urgent treatment. For severe swelling, fever, trouble breathing or a jaw injury, go to the Kern Medical Pediatric Emergency Department or call 911.
Does Medi-Cal cover emergency dental care for children?
Yes. Medi-Cal Dental covers emergency care for children. In this guide, Children's Choice, Kinder, Smileland, Western Dental and CaliDental all state that they accept Medi-Cal or Denti-Cal.
How much does a kids' emergency dental visit cost without insurance?
Kinder Pediatric Dental charges $69 for an emergency exam and X-ray for new patients without insurance. Treatment such as fillings or extractions costs extra and depends on what the dentist finds.
Are "24/7 emergency dentist" listings in Bakersfield real dental offices?
Several Google listings with that name share one toll-free number, and their reviews describe call centers that couldn't find an available dentist. Call a clinic's own number instead.
Conclusion
Dental emergencies involving children require prompt attention, the right first-aid response, and access to appropriate dental care. East Bakersfield offers several options for families, including pediatric dental specialists and general dental practices that provide emergency services. Children's Choice Dental Care Bakersfield – East stands out for its same-day appointments, Medi-Cal acceptance, and in-clinic sedation options. However, families should compare services, confirm availability, and contact clinics directly before visiting. Knowing how to respond to knocked-out, chipped, or painful teeth and recognizing when hospital care is necessary can make a significant difference in protecting a child's oral health and well-being.
