At Trunkey Dental, your familys health and safety is our top priority. Our sterilization procedures exceed the Center for Disease Control guidelines. All handpieces and instruments are heat-sterilized after each use. We only use ADA-approved disinfectants, disposable gloves, masks, eye protection & barrier covers at all times.
When Dr. Donald Trunkey first started dental school, he had a mouth full of broken-off teeth and was very embarrassed to smile. The shame he felt about his own dental problems led Dr. Trunkey to develop his first rule when dealing with patientsNO GUILT. So, on your first visit to Trunkey Dental, there will be NO LECTURES. In fact, Dr. Trunkey and his team are going to celebrate that you took the first step to having a healthy and carefree smile.
Dr. Trunkey graduated in 1980 from dental school in Loma Linda, CA. He quickly learned that patients would rather be anywhere than in the dental office, so that led to rule two being developedLESS DENTISTRY IS THE BEST DENTISTRY. This means that Dr. Trunkey and his team show you how to avoid coming to the dentist no more than you have to.
After being in dentistry since 1981, Dr. Trunkey has found that his happiest patients are the ones that stopped the destruction of dental disease and then fixed their teeth as ideally as possible. They can then live mostly a carefree life as it relates to their teeth. Its a great place to be!
Dr. Emily Stevens received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Loma Linda University. Dr. Stevens began her dental career practicing in Hanford California for several years. A proud Bakersfield native, Dr. Stevens was thrilled to return to Bakersfield where she has practiced since 2019.
Although proud of her credentials behind her name, the titles of wife and mom are her most cherished accomplishments. Dr. Stevens enjoys spending her free time outdoors with her husband and son. Her favorite pastimes include fishing and horseback riding.
After earning his bachelors degree from LLU, Dr. Trunkey earned his doctorate from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. Dr. Trunkey knew that there was much more to be learned and took many courses outside the scope of general dentistry to expand his knowledge base. He took an 8 year in depth Advanced Dental Education course through the esteemed Pankey Institute in Florida. This course taught him how to effectively address bite issue and jaw problems, such asTMJ. He has since taken many other continuing education courses, including those in implants,orthodontics, digital diagnoses, teeth whitening & cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Trunkey is a member of theKern County Dental Society, the American Dental Society, the California Dental Association & a Bakersfield-based study club.
At Trunkey Dental, our staff is dedicated to providing you with our Five Star service. Each member of our team works together to meet all the dental needs of our patients in a gentle, professional, and caring manner. We take great pride in our knowledge and experience and are committed to making your next visit a great one.
Kathy oversees Trunkey Dentals day to day functions to provide our patients with a wonderful experience and our staff with an awesome place to work. Kathy met Dr. Trunkey while she was in nursing school and he was in dental school. They got married two weeks after their graduations and, in January of 1981, they purchased this wonderful dental practice here in Bakersfield.
Kathy loves to cook, lead bible study, read and travel. With both her children and grandchildren living out of state, traveling has become a great adventure for her and Dr. T. She loves us all here at Trunkey Dental, which is why she always keeps our tummies happy with her delicious creations. Hungry? Stop by the office anytime and surely shes got a lasagna here somewhere!
Brandi beautifully handles a variety of jobs, from scheduling and financial arrangements to front office administration. She takes great pride in connecting with our patients and is an expert in assisting patients make their dental dreams a reality.
Brandi is a Bakersfield native who runs on coffee and country music. She recently married the love of her life, Tim, and together they are raising three children. Brandi is also a huge animal lover. Her two dogs run the show at home and thats just the way she likes it!
Emmie has 3 beautiful kids and is blessed with 7 grandchildren. In her spare time, she is teaching us how to make all sorts of cute crafty things and we love how she decorates our office with her creative touch.
Melanie is an outstanding dental assistant, whos been in the field since 2001. Earning her RDAEF in 2015, she enjoys helping her patients have healthy smiles and managing our back office with excellence. Our patients appreciate her soft touch and know they are in exceptional, caring hands as she has made the comfort of her patients a top priority.
Melanie and her husband Josh have three adorable daughters who love spending time with all the animals on their mini-farm. She enjoys family movie nights, trips to the beach, and making her back-yard look Pinterest-worthy. Melanie makes us all green with envy when she returns from her lunch hour with amazing thrift store and antique finds!
Griselda moved to Bakersfield from Moor Park in 2010. In the dental field since 1996, she continues to be a wonderful asset to our Trunkey Dental family as she loves to help others and make them smile.
Griselda never sits still for very long. She stays busy on her family ranch with every farm animal you can imagine! She has a very large extended family, so the family festivities never end. If you need to plan a party in less than 5 days for 350 guests, Griselda is your gal!
Kelsey moved back to Bakersfield after working in beautiful Alaska for 4 years, coordinating services for busloads of eager tourists. She left the wilds of Alaska to return home to raise her little girl close to family. She has been a dental assistant since 2009, but with hospitality in her background, she is no stranger to going above and beyond for her patients comfort and happiness.
When Kelsey is not working, she is probably lost somewhere outdoors with her daughter. Her passion for the outdoors has taken her to some beautiful places. She enjoys the slow days of summer spent with family, especially when theres some good music and good food.
Fatima is one of our very talented hygienists and has managed to capture the hearts of her many loyal patients. Aside from her sweet disposition, she is also exceedingly gentle and approaches her craft with a delicate hand.