Family dentistry in Saffron Walden
Finding a dentist you trust with your whole family, from a nervous first-timer to a grandparent who has seen it all before, matters more than most people realise. It means fewer awkward conversations, fewer missed check-ups, and problems caught early rather than discovered at a crisis point. Read what our patients say.
At Church Street Dental Surgery, that continuity is the point. The same team looks after routine check-ups, children's first visits, hygiene appointments and everyday fillings, so every member of the family is seen by people who already know them, appointment after appointment.
A dental home for every stage of your family
Family dentistry works best when it is built on relationships rather than one-off appointments. Dr Kim Griffin, Dr Anuva Mandal and Mr Nick Williams lead routine care at the practice, supported by hygienists Sara Barry and Marion Houlston, who many of our longest-standing patients see more regularly than they see their GP.
We take the same approach with every patient, whatever their age: explain what we are looking at, explain why it matters, and agree the simplest, least invasive way to keep things healthy. For children, that means a calm, unhurried introduction to the dentist, well before treatment is ever needed, so visits stay routine rather than something to dread. For adults, it means a genuinely preventative relationship, catching small problems while they are still small and inexpensive to treat.
You can read more about the team who will be looking after your family on our team page.
What we offer
The treatments below cover the everyday dental care most families need, all delivered in-house at Church Street.
Children's dental check-ups
Introducing young patients early in a relaxed, unhurried way that builds confidence for life.
7-point routine examinations
Covering teeth, gums, bite, digital X-rays and a 3-D intra-oral scan for adults and children.
Dental hygiene treatment
Scale and polish appointments with our hygienists to keep gums healthy and catch early signs of gum disease.
Preventative dentistry
Practical advice on diet, home cleaning technique and fluoride to stop problems developing rather than treating them once they appear.
White fillings
Tooth-coloured restorations for children and adults, using composite material rather than metal amalgam.
Gum disease monitoring and treatment
From early gingivitis through to deeper scaling and a longer-term maintenance plan to bring it back under control.
-
The Church Street family journey
Whether it is a child's first visit or a routine recall for a long-standing patient, the process is the same.
-
1
A relaxed welcome
New patients, including children, are given time to settle in before anything happens. There is no rush and no pressure.
-
2
Examination
Your dentist checks teeth, gums, bite and jaw health, using digital X-rays and 3-D scanning where appropriate, and talks you through what they find in plain language.
-
3
Hygiene and prevention
Where a hygiene visit is due, Sara or Marion will scale, polish and check for early gum disease, and show you or your child the most effective way to clean at home.
-
4
A simple plan
If anything needs treating, such as a small filling, we explain the options and the cost before doing anything, so there are no surprises.
-
5
Ongoing care
We recall the whole family at the right intervals, so check-ups and hygiene visits happen on schedule rather than being forgotten until something hurts.
Investment and finance
Church Street Dental Surgery is a private practice, and routine family dentistry, check-ups, hygiene and fillings included, is charged privately rather than provided on the NHS. We are always upfront about cost: routine appointments are quoted clearly, and any further treatment comes with a written estimate before it begins.
Finance is available with 0% options over 3, 6, 10 or 12 months for larger courses of treatment. Our membership plan also spreads the cost of routine family care into a manageable monthly amount. Ask the team for details at your next visit or when you call to book.
0% finance available
Over 3, 6, 10 or 12 months on loans from £250 upwards. Our membership plan is also available to spread the cost of routine family care monthly.
A practice serving Saffron Walden and the wider catchment
Families travel to Church Street Dental Surgery from across Saffron Walden and the surrounding towns, including Newport, Audley End, Stansted Mountfitchet, Great Chesterford, Linton, Sawston, Haverhill, Takeley and Bishops Stortford. Many have been coming for years, and many started as a single family member who then registered the rest of the household once they saw how the practice worked. You can read their reviews here.
Public parking is available a short walk from Church Street.
- Saffron Walden
- Newport
- Audley End
- Stansted Mountfitchet
- Great Chesterford
- Linton
- Sawston
- Haverhill
- Takeley
- Bishops Stortford
Frequently asked questions
At what age should my child start seeing the dentist?
+
As soon as their first teeth appear, or by their first birthday at the latest. Early visits are short, gentle and about familiarity rather than treatment, which is exactly what helps children stay relaxed about the dentist as they grow up.
How often should my family have a dental check-up?
+
Most patients are recalled every six months, though your dentist may suggest a different interval depending on your or your child's oral health. Regular check-ups are the single biggest factor in catching problems while they are still small and simple to treat.
What happens at a dental hygiene appointment?
+
Your hygienist removes plaque and tartar with a scale and polish, checks for early signs of gum disease, and shows you the most effective way to clean at home, including brushing technique and interdental cleaning. Most patients notice their teeth feel noticeably cleaner afterwards.
Is Church Street Dental Surgery an NHS or private family dentist?
+
We are a private practice, and routine family dentistry is charged privately rather than provided under the NHS. If you specifically need an NHS dentist, NHS 111 or the NHS website can help you find current NHS availability in the area. Many families choose to see us privately because appointments are easier to get and continuity of care is stronger.
What is preventative dentistry?
+
It is the everyday habits and dental care that stop problems developing rather than treating them once they appear, regular check-ups, hygiene visits, fluoride advice and simple changes to diet or home cleaning. It is usually far more comfortable, and far less expensive, than treating decay or gum disease once it has taken hold.
Do you treat gum disease?
+
Yes. Early gum disease (gingivitis) is common and usually reversible with proper cleaning and a hygiene visit. If it has progressed further, we offer deeper scaling and a longer-term maintenance plan to bring it back under control.
Can children have white fillings if needed?
+
Yes. We use tooth-coloured white fillings for children and adults wherever it is clinically appropriate, avoiding metal amalgam fillings.
Do I need to be an existing patient to register my family?
+
No. New families are welcome, and you do not need to register everyone at once, many start with one family member and add others once they have visited the practice.
What if my child is nervous about the dentist?
+
Tell us when you book. We take extra time with nervous children and adults alike, and will never rush or pressure a patient who needs a moment to settle. A calm first visit, even if it is just a look and a count of teeth, does far more good than forcing a full check-up before someone is ready.
Take the first step
Whether it is your child's first visit or a routine check-up that is overdue for the whole family, the Church Street team is ready to see you.