Meet Your Clinicians

Dr Neil McElvanna is a friendly and skilled dentist committed to delivering his patients happy, healthy smiles. He is focused on building strong relationships and enjoys seeing the improvements a healthy, functional mouth can have on his patients' overall wellbeing.

Backed by a wealth of experience, Dr McElvanna has been practising dentistry for over 10 years. He was awarded the Entrance Exhibition Scholarship to Trinity College Dublin and graduated with Honours with a Bachelor of Dental Science in 2005. Following his graduation, he worked as a House Officer in Dublin Dental University Hospital for a year before working in private practice. Throughout his time in Dublin, he gained invaluable experience in emergency dentistry, oral surgery, orthodontics and fixed/removable prosthodontics.

In 2013, Dr McElvanna relocated to sunny Cairns where he has continued to work in private practice and now enjoys operating his practice from Maven Dental Cairns North. He enjoys exploring his clinical interests in cosmetic and minimally invasive aesthetic dentistry, veneers, crowns/bridgework, dental implant restorations and tooth alignment treatments; and has also undertaken a Graduate Certificate in Digital Orthodontics.

Dr McElvanna also plays an active role within the field of dentistry and is committed to remaining up to date with the latest developments. He is a member of the Australian Dental Association and International Team for Implantology.

Beyond dentistry, Dr McElvanna is often kept busy training and competing in triathlons, travelling, walking his Golden Retriever Toby and enjoying music.

Dr Sarah Farrell graduated from her Bachelor of Oral Health at Charles Sturt University in 2013. While practicing as an oral health therapist, Sarah worked at the Mackay Hospital and soon after, took on the role of lead Oral Health practitioner at the Broken Hill Hospital. It was during this time that she realised that she wanted to give more back to the community and therefore, went back to university to complete a Bachelor of Dental Surgery at James Cook University.

Dr Sarah is passionate about all aspects of general dentistry, however, has a particular interest in preventative dentistry. She believes it is important to instil good oral health habits into her patient’s routine to maintain a healthy smile for life. Sarah always creates a warm and comfortable environment for her patients to ensure a pleasant experience each visit and has a knack for working alongside nervous patients.

Outside dentistry, you’ll find Sarah enjoying quality time with her little girl Claire and fiancé at the Cairns aquarium, walking her dog at the beach and hanging out with family and friends.

Dr Sam completed his Bachelor of Dental Surgery at James Cook University, Cairns, graduating with an honours with distinction. Dr Sam spent the last three years living in Tasmania where he worked in both public and private sectors, delivering high quality care to a broad range of patients. He has happily returned home to Cairns to settle down with his partner. Maven Dental Cairns North are proud to have Dr Sam as part of the team.

As well as having experience in all aspects of general dentistry, Dr Sam has a particular interest in special needs dentistry, especially after working as a disability support worker throughout his degree. Dr Sam uses patience, clear communication and compassionate listening to help find solutions for people from all walks of life. Dr Sam also utilizes options such as Relative Analgesia (nitrous oxide gas) to assist anxious patients with having a comfortable dental experience. When he isn’t helping his patients with their own oral health journeys, Dr Sam supervises dental students at James Cook University and is keen to be part of the future of dentistry.

Prior to dentistry, Dr Sam studied zoology/ecology at James Cook University and undertook exchange programs in Sweden and China as part of his science degree. In addition to his clinical skills and life experience, patients greatly appreciate Dr Sam’s caring nature and the way he is able to approach situations with compassion and empathy.

Travel, hiking, live music, food and wine, board games, tennis and time with family and friends are his happy places.

Dr Mira Khiralla graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from James Cook University. Since completing her studies, she has been dedicated to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care with a strong emphasis on comprehensive treatment planning and long-term oral health outcomes.
Dr Mira is passionate about all aspects of general dentistry, with particular interests in aesthetic and restorative treatments.
Known for her gentle and thorough approach, Dr Mira prioritizes clear communication and patient comfort, ensuring every visit feels calm, supportive and tailored to individual needs. She enjoys working with anxious patients and takes pride in creating a reassuring environment where patients feel informed and at ease.
When she’s not in the clinic, Dr Mira enjoys Pilates and gym sessions, travelling and spending quality time with family and friends. She also has a strong interest in beauty, health and lifestyle and appreciates the connection between feeling confident and overall wellbeing.