Sam Williams teed up Elito, who crashed home clinically past stunned goalkeeper Josh Lillis.
The Daggers still have not drawn since October, while Rochdale suffered their third straight defeat.
The hosts almost went in front in the third minute when Brian Woodall fired in a super shot which Lillis dived down to save.
At the other end, Daggers 'keeper Chris Lewington twice denied Dale's Bobby Grant within the space of five minutes.
The first save came from a well-struck free-kick, then from an angled shot from 12 yards.
Scott Doe almost broke the deadlock for the hosts in first-half stoppage-time but his rising shot just cleared the crossbar.
The visitors went in front in the 72nd minute when Andrew Tutte guided a 12-yard drive into the top corner.
However, within three minutes the scores were level when Abu Ogogo drove home from close range following a cross from Gavin Hoyte.
