Our Team
Dr David Curnock
Dr Curnock has been practicing dentistry in Cairns since 1973 – that’s over 50 years as a dentist! This makes him Cairns’ most experienced dentist and a legend in the Cairns dental community.
He saw a void in general anaesthetic dentistry in Cairns and that’s why he founded the Cairns Dental Anaesthetic Centre. Dr Curnock wanted Cairns to have access to quality dental care with modern facilities dedicated to general anaesthetic dentistry.
He has completed over 8,000 anaesthetic cases to date and has witnessed firsthand the development of anaesthesia as it applies to dentistry, from the primitive “doctor’s bag” to the latest sophisticated machines and monitors.
Outside of dentistry, Dr Curnock loves being out on the water, spearfishing and spending his weekends with family and friends in Mission beach.
Dr Shenade Smith
Dr Shenade Smith is a dedicated and compassionate dentist with a focus on restorative dentistry and paediatric care. Raised on cattle stations, farms and small communities in remote parts of the Northern Territory, Shenade attributes her childhood upbringing and experiences to her strong belief in the value of community and the significance of having dependable people around you.
Shenade graduated from James Cook University in Cairns with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery in 2017 and brings unparalleled expertise in dentistry in remote areas, such as Katherine in the NT, where only one private practice exists. Today, Shenade is the emergency on-call private dentist and official triage for the Cairns Base Hospital where she frequently has weekend and after-hours emergency callouts for children and young adults having had accidents. Her passion for the timely management of dental trauma has prompted her to give teachings and workshops for Emergency Department registrars at Cairns Base Hospital for several years running.
Shenade’s own experience of being complimented on her smile during her younger years inspired her to prioritise the importance of oral health and its impact on self-esteem. She is passionate about providing dental treatments under general anaesthesia for children and patients with severe dental phobia & high dental anxiety, ensuring every patient's experience is pain-free and comfortable. When she's not perfecting smiles, Shenade finds joy in playing the ukulele, cherishing quality time with her family and eagerly planning her next culinary expedition to Japan.
Dr Michael Slatcher
With over 30 years practising dentistry, Dr Michael Slatcher is one of Cairn’s most experienced and respected dentists, passionate about oral health and delivering impeccable dental care to the local Cairns community. Michael is widely regarded as the go-to dental surgeon for a wide range of procedures at Cairns Base Hospital and here at Cairns Dental Anaesthetic Centre, including challenging wisdom teeth extractions and implant placements. On top of holding a Bachelor’s in Dentistry, Michael has a Masters in Implants from the prestigious University College of London (UCL) and is a member of the Royal Australian College of Dental Surgeons MRACDS. He is well-versed in all areas of dentistry and has successfully performed over 10,000 surgical dental cases under general anaesthesia, showcasing his remarkable expertise and commitment to patient well-being.
In his spare time, Michael loves the outdoor lifestyle offered by Far North Queensland. When he can, he indulges in his passion for golf and enjoys creating lasting memories with his family through camping and fishing.
Dr. Trinidad Jacial
Dr Trinidad Jacial provides exceptional dental care with a particular interest in aesthetic restorative prosthodontics. She has a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the Universidad Mayor, Chile (where she graduated as Dux of her class), a Post-Graduate Diploma in Cariology and Aesthetic Restorative, and a Doctor in Clinical Dentistry (prosthodontics) from the Universidad de los Andes, Chile. For five years, Trinidad worked as a general dentist, gaining valuable experience in both private and public settings. In early 2016, she made the bold decision to leave Chile and embark on a journey without a set destination. It was 2017 when she arrived in Cairns, Australia, and decided to establish her professional roots here. Since then, she has been an integral part of the Cairns community, respected and loved for her warm, welcoming, and compassionate approach to dentistry. Trinidad believes in helping her patients adopt a preventative and conservative dental strategy, while at the same time embracing complex cases and restoring the health, function, aesthetics, and confidence of her patients.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Trinidad cherishes time spent with her loving family. She is a devoted wife and mother to two cheeky daughters who captivate her attention outside of work. Determined to raise her children to be bilingual, she embraces the joys and challenges of parenthood wholeheartedly. Additionally, she shares her home with a gentle giant dog, adding further warmth and love to her family dynamic.
