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Essex Family Dental on Gale Street, Becontree - Dagenham

Originally established back in the 1920s, our Gale Street practice has been trusted by local patients in the Dagenham and Barking area for an entire century. With a wealth of experience in all types of dental services including routine, emergency and even aesthetic treatments, you can rest assured that you’ll receive the best care with us; your local dentist.

Address

513-515 Gale Street, Dagenham, RM9 4TP

Opening hours:

Monday: 08:30–17:30

Tuesday: 08:30–17:30

Wednesday: 08:30–17:30

Thursday: 08:30–17:30

Friday: 08:30–17:30

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed

How to find us

Becontree station, part of the District Line, is directly adjacent to the practice (just 75m away). Trains run every 2-5 minutes towards Upminster (east) and Wimbledon, Ealing Broadway and Richmond (west), with easy connections to the Elizabeth, Hammersmith and City, Liberty and Suffragette lines as well as the DLR, National Rail and C2C trains. So whether you’re visiting us from Barking, Dagenham and Redbridge, or even from Romford, Ilford or Stratford, you’ll be able to reach us quickly and easily.

Buses run every 4-10 minutes from the bus stop just outside the practice (only 10m away):

  • Route 62 runs to/from Dagenham, Barking, Becontree, Chadwell Heath, Gascoigne and Marks Gate Estates.
  • Route 145 connects to/from Beam Park Estate, Barking, Dagenham Heathway, Becontree, Martins Corner and Ilford, Redbridge, Wanstead and Leytonstone.

Parking your car near the surgery is straightforward, with lots of parking available:

  • 8 public parking bays are available directly outside the practice on a first come, first served basis (free Mon-Sat 8am-6.30pm).
  • A further EV-charging only bay is also situated directly outside.
  • Private parking, including a dedicated disabled bay with step-free access to the practice, is available to the rear of the building. Number plates must be registered via the touchscreen in reception to enable free parking.
  • Additional free street parking and PayByPhone car parks (which are free for the first 30 minutes) can also be found within 150m of the practice.

Conveniently located next to Becontree tube station and situated along multiple bus routes, it’s extremely easy to reach us by public transport and, for those who are travelling by car, there are even free car parking spaces available directly outside. As we’re right in the heart of the community, you can make the commute more efficient by popping in to your appointment on your way home from your workplace, the school run or even a spot of shopping at Westfield shopping centre in Stratford.

So, whether you’re looking for implants near Ilford or teeth straightening near Stratford, we’re easy to get to here at Essex Family Dental and are ready to give you and your family the best care.

Accessibility

There’s a dedicated disabled bay, with step-free access to the practice, in our car park at the rear of the building. You’ll also find drop kerbs, tactile paving and level access on the routes from neighbouring car parks and street parking bays to the surgery, should they be needed.

Smiling young woman sitting in a wheelchair points to her cheeks against a pink background.

What's in the local area?

There is lots to see and do in the local area near the Gale Street surgery:

  • Valence House Museum, 1.5 miles away: a historic building with a focus on local history.
  • Dagenham Civic Centre, 2.1 miles away: a grade II listed Art Deco building which forms part of the CU London campus for Coventry University.
  • Becontree Health Leisure Centre, 1.9 miles away: A facility with 2 swimming pools, a range of aquatic activities, a gym, sports halls and group exercise studios.
  • Eastbrookend Country Park, 2.6 miles away: a large country park with a visitor centre, scenic meadows, trails for walking and fishing lakes.

We’re also within a short distance of community services such as schools, hospitals and GP clinics.

Education:

  • Mayesbrook Secondary School – 0.2 miles
  • The James Campbell Primary School – 0.3 miles
  • Jo Richardson Community School – 0.5 miles
  • Roding Primary School – 0.6 miles
  • Goresbrook School – 0.7 miles
  • Monteagle Primary School – 0.8 miles
  • Sydney Russell School - 0.9 miles
  • Parsloes Primary School - 0.9 miles
  • Dorothy Barley Primary School – 1 mile
  • The Saint Teresa Catholic Primary School – 1 mile
  • Godwin Primary School - 0.6 miles
  • Village Infants School - 1.3 miles

Healthcare

  • Barking Hospital – 1.5 miles
  • Queen’s Hospital – 3.7 miles

What's in the local area?

There is lots to see and do in the local area near the Gale Street surgery:

  • Valence House Museum, 1.5 miles away: a historic building with a focus on local history.
  • Dagenham Civic Centre, 2.1 miles away: a grade II listed Art Deco building which forms part of the CU London campus for Coventry University.
  • Becontree Health Leisure Centre, 1.9 miles away: A facility with 2 swimming pools, a range of aquatic activities, a gym, sports halls and group exercise studios.
  • Eastbrookend Country Park, 2.6 miles away: a large country park with a visitor centre, scenic meadows, trails for walking and fishing lakes.

We’re also within a short distance of community services such as schools, hospitals and GP clinics.

  • Mayesbrook Secondary School – 0.2 miles
  • The James Campbell Primary School – 0.3 miles
  • Jo Richardson Community School – 0.5 miles
  • Roding Primary School – 0.6 miles
  • Goresbrook School – 0.7 miles
  • Monteagle Primary School – 0.8 miles
  • Sydney Russell School - 0.9 miles
  • Parsloes Primary School - 0.9 miles
  • Dorothy Barley Primary School – 1 mile
  • The Saint Teresa Catholic Primary School – 1 mile
  • Godwin Primary School - 0.6 miles
  • Village Infants School - 1.3 miles
  • Barking Hospital – 1.5 miles
  • Queen’s Hospital – 3.7 miles

Meet the team

Dentists

Dr Tjaart Schutte
GDC 71695

After his qualification in 1996, Dr Schutte started work in London as a general dentist. Dr Schutte worked as a private dentist for over 10 years before returning to doing both NHS and private dental care at Essex Family Dental in 2021. He obtained a PG certificate in aesthetic dentistry from Tipton in 2023 and completed a certification in facial aesthetics in 2024.

Dr Louise Riddick
GDC
BDS

Dr Louise Riddick trained with The LAAM (London Academy of Aesthetic Medicine) and creates bespoke dental treatment plans for her patients, tailored to their individual goals. Louise also treats facial fine lines and wrinkles, teeth grinding and excessive underarm sweating. By offering anti-wrinkle treatments to her patients, Louise helps them to feel rejuvenated and confident.

Dr Khushboo Unnadkat
GDC
BDS

Dr Unnadkat qualified at Kings College University in London with a BDS (Hons) and takes an innovative approach to dental health. She has also completed training in both anti-wrinkle and filler treatments with Harley Academy. When she's not working, she enjoys travel, fitness and food.

Hygienists

Mirela Stefan
GDC

Mirela is registered under s36C of the Dentist Act 1984 and qualified as a dental hygienist from Universita Degli Studi Di Bari, Italy. She is passionate about preventing gum disease and educating patients in a gentle and friendly manner.

Dental Nurse

Claudia
GDC
Irina
GDC
Chazan
GDC

Receptionist

Zoe
GDC
Alex
GDC
Alicia
GDC

Manager

Gerda
GDC

Treatment Co-ordinator

Kaelah
GDC

Our patients love us

JS
Jennika Shah

Brought both children after school. Lovely clean practice. Very kind, professional and quick. My children were very good because the practice and staff were very inviting. Very good with children. Would highly recommend!

NMN
naseem mc nellie

When I got there I was amazed to see the renovation done to the surgery. It was very cosy and welcoming. The staff were very professional and nice. When I was seen, the dentist was very thorough in explaining the treatment that will follow. It was overall a good experience.

DT
Deborah Taylor

I had my first ever hygienist appointment with airflow. I was quite nervous but was quickly reassured by the lady that performed the procedure (sorry i cant remember her name). Really happy with the results. My teeth look so much cleaner and healthier. The staff were really friendly. I also had a consultation for inviserline. They took a quick scan of my teeth so I have a idea of how they compare to the Finnished result.

LS
Lidia Stefania

Myself and my child have been registered with Essex Family Dental Gale Street for more than 4 years and everytime we visited, the staff is really well prepared and the services are really good. Dr Tjaart is an amazing doctor, and we are really happy with how he he treated us.

KF
Kim Feeney

I first went here for an emergency last year and as a very nervous patient, I saw a lovely dentist who put me at ease. I've recently been able to join the dentist now and saw the same dentist, which put me at ease straight away.

GL
Grace Laslett

Just visited today and had an appointment with the lovely dental hygienist Mirela. Very pleased with how quick and thorough she was with my cleaning. Hadn’t been in years so I was very nervous and full of anxiety, but both her and her nurse were so friendly and professional that they put me right at ease. Thank you so much! Reception team are very lovely also.

MG
Maria Glacken

I have been going to this dentist for many years now. They have just recently had a refurb it's very nice in there now. The reception ladies are always very friendly. Never had any problems would highly recommend this surgery.Nov 2025: Just had to make another appointment as a large filling fell out. Seen pretty quickly, treatment plan started, appointment for next day to get work started. As always all staff very pleasant. I have never had any issues with this surgery.18/11/25: Visited today to have inlay fitted where my filling fell out. Seen on time, all done pretty quickly. Very happy with the treatment.

MC
Maison Clay

Having been a patient for a decade+ it's refreshing to know that when I had a problem it was addressed by the hospitable general manager himself (Mr. S Morgan) and a follow up was conducted during my next visit. This was a kind gesture. The receptionists are friendly and welcoming. Dr Ganesalingam is a respectful dentist who answers questions thoroughly and gives compassionate advice 🌟

JM
Janette Morant-ball

Bright and clean practice with warm friendly staff. Highly recommended that you become a patient here if you're looking for a practice to take care of your dental needs whether NHS or private.

LC
Louise Cole

both my daughters come to this dentist, one being autistic with sensory issues when it comes to her teeth but the dentists are so lovely and make it such a easy, comfortable and quick process for her. They are also very understanding.also absolutely amazing with my 2 year old, she’s even excited for her next check up!

DO
David Oxley

I attended for an extraction by sedation, referred by my dentist. Everyone was so professional and I felt very reassured immediately. Special thanks go to the dentist and anaesthetist who were so calm and friendly. I remember nothing of the procedure (thankfully!). Thank you, I am truly grateful to you for relieving my worries.

YA
Yasmina AISSAOUI

I had a great experience at mawney road practice, the staff were friendly and welcoming. The doctor who extracted my son's tooth was very professional, gentle, and explained everything clearly — highly recommend!

Did you know that we have multiple dental practices across East London?

Whalebone Lane

Romford - Chadwell Heath

Orchard Road

Dagenham

Southend Road

Rainham
Close-up of dark green palm leaves with sunlight filtering through.
essexfamilydentalcare
Providing dentistry in the community for over 40 years. New surgery now open at 57 Mawney Rd!