When something happens to your child's teeth, the question is not what the office can do, it is how fast you can get in. Kids2Dentist offers same-day emergency appointments for children in the Central Valley, and the process is simpler than most parents expect: one phone call to the right office. This article covers the logistics only. What to do in the moment itself is covered in our article on kids dental emergencies: what to do.

How a same-day emergency appointment works

Kids2Dentist offers same-day emergency appointments at its open offices. You call, the front desk takes a few details, and they find the earliest opening for your child at that office. You do not need to be an existing patient, you do not need a referral, and you do not need to book online first. For an urgent visit, calling is the fastest way to get a time.

The call usually takes a couple of minutes. The team confirms the address, tells you when to arrive, and lets you know if there is anything specific to bring. If the office you called cannot fit your child in as soon as you would like, they will tell you and help you find the next best option among our locations.

Which number to call, by city

  • Porterville: 1150 W Henderson Ave, Porterville, CA 93257. Call (559) 576-2130. Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
  • Delano: 815 Cecil Ave, Delano, CA 93215. Call (661) 545-7910. Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
  • Visalia: 1814 N Dinuba Blvd, Visalia, CA 93291. Call (559) 589-8700. Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
  • Fresno: 452 East Shaw Ave, Fresno, CA 93710. Call (559) 589-8600. Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Our Clovis office at 200 W Shaw Ave is opening soon and is not taking appointments yet; Clovis families can call Fresno. If you are not sure which office to call, the Visalia line, (559) 589-8700, answers day and night in English and Spanish and can book the appointment for you.

What to say when you call

Having a few details ready keeps the call short. The front desk will ask for:

  • Your child's name and age.
  • What happened, in one sentence.
  • Whether your child is already a Kids2Dentist patient or a new patient.
  • Whether your child has Medi-Cal or another insurance plan, and the name of the plan if you know it.
  • A phone number where the office can reach you.

That is all the team needs to find a time. If you do not have the insurance card in hand, say so; it does not delay the appointment, and you can bring it with you.

Evenings, weekends and holidays

Our offices are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Outside those hours, call the Visalia line at (559) 589-8700. It answers day and night, in English and Spanish, and can schedule your child for the first available opening. You do not have to wait until the morning to get on the schedule.

What to bring and who can come in

For an emergency visit, bring what you can find quickly. None of these will hold up the appointment if you arrive without them:

  • Your child's insurance or Medi-Cal card.
  • A photo ID for the parent or guardian.
  • A list of any medications your child takes, if any.

A parent or guardian can stay with the child during the visit. If another adult is bringing your child, let the office know when you call so they know who to expect.

New patients and Medi-Cal

You do not need to be an established patient to get a same-day appointment. The first visit can be the emergency visit. Kids2Dentist accepts Medi-Cal (the dental program is known as Denti-Cal) and most PPO plans. The office verifies your coverage and explains what your plan covers before any treatment, so there are no surprises. No child is turned away because of race, religion, ethnicity or national origin.

Frequently asked questions

Do you see children the same day for an emergency?

Yes. Our Porterville, Delano, Visalia and Fresno offices offer same-day emergency appointments during business hours. Call the office closest to you and the front desk will find the earliest time.

What if we are not patients of Kids2Dentist?

You can still be seen. Tell the front desk your child is a new patient. Bring ID and insurance if you have them. If your child has seen another dentist before, you can request those records later; they are not needed for the emergency visit.

What if it happens at night or on the weekend?

Call (559) 589-8700, the Visalia line. It answers day and night, in English and Spanish, and books your child for the first available opening.

Do you take Medi-Cal for an emergency visit?

Yes. Medi-Cal (Denti-Cal) and most PPO plans are accepted, and the office verifies your coverage and explains what your plan covers before any treatment. Say the name of the plan when you call.

Which office should I choose if I live between two cities?

Choose the office you can get to most easily. If you call one and the earliest opening is later than you would like, ask about the next closest office. If you would rather make a single call, the Visalia line can book the appointment for you.

The short version

Call the office nearest you: Porterville (559) 576-2130, Delano (661) 545-7910, Visalia (559) 589-8700, Fresno (559) 589-8600. Have your child's name, age, what happened, patient status and insurance ready. After hours, the Visalia line answers day and night in English and Spanish. New patients and Medi-Cal are welcome, and a parent can stay with the child. One call is all it takes to get on the schedule today.