Professional Dental Team
Trower dental is locally owned and operated. Our reputation as one of Darwin’s best dental centres has been built on over 20 years of being trusted to take care of Territorians and their families. Trower Dental prides itself in providing affordable, comprehensive, and innovative holistic dentistry.
Holistic dentistry is an approach to dentistry that encompasses both modern science and knowledge drawn from the world’s greatest traditions with natural healing. It acknowledges and gives attention to the mind, body, and spirit of the patient not just their teeth. A holistic approach is one that promotes health and wellness instead of the treatment of disease.
At Trower Dental we aim to provide caring, high quality holistic dentistry in a relaxed, welcoming and friendly environment.
Patient comfort combined with professional, state-of-the-art services are factors that set Trower Dental apart. Our centre is one of the most progressive and diverse dental centres in the Northern Territory. It is also one of the most welcoming and
comfortable. We combine the latest technology with the best people, and the most advanced techniques with the finest service and care.
We look forward to helping you with your dental wellness and caring for you with kindness, personal attention and dental excellence.
Our Team
Dr Erna Melton
Dr Erna Melton graduated with a degree in dentistry from University of Queensland before moving to work in Canberra, Sydney, Darwin and the Tiwi Islands.
Since 1996, she has been the owner and principal practitioner of Trower Dental.
Erna is passionate about problem solving and applying a philosophy of minimal intervention into her patient care. She strives to keep across new technologies, improved products and emerging techniques to provide the broadest range of options with a particular focus on providing the treatment from diagnosis to management in the most holistic way possible.
Her current interests are in the field of improving general wellbeing through oral health, restoring worn, eroded, or ground down teeth and maintaining a healthy dentition through age.
Erna likes to work in collaboration with other specialities, whether in the field of dentistry or allied health. She has been a lifetime member of the Australian Dental Association and an active member of the Dental Board of Australia, sitting on a number of committees since 2016.
When not working, Erna enjoys playing music, travelling, and attempting to stay fit!
Dr Thea Tran
Dr Thea Tran is a compassionate, vibrant dentist who graduated from The University of Queensland with both a Bachelor of Biomedical Science with Honours and Dental Science. Her holistic approach to integrated patient treatment places special emphasis on minimal intervention dentistry and preventative oral health regimes. She prides herself on her gentle approach and aims to make every dental visit as stress free as possible.
Thea graduated from Dentistry in 2010 and worked in Queensland in both public and private clinics. She has experience working in a hospital setting treating patients with complex medical conditions including head and neck cancer patients. Thea moved to Darwin in 2013 to join the team at Trower Road Dental Surgery.
Thea is passionate with continual education and has attended many courses and programs to offer the best and most up to date dental treatment for her patients. She has studied Aesthetic Dentistry at Kings College in London, Orthodontics at the University of Sydney and has completed training with the Australian Medical Acupuncture College (AMAC) as a qualified Medical Acupuncturist.
Thea is always willing to discuss any concerns her patients may have regarding their treatment or care of their teeth. She is interested in all aspects of dentistry, however finds the most satisfaction in helping nervous patients overcome their anxiety of the dentist.
Out of dentistry, Thea enjoys reading, gardening, health and nutrition and animals.
Dr Emma Neibling
Dr Emma Neibling graduated from James Cook University with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery and an academic medal. Her dedication to the health profession has led her to be actively involved in the local dental community either promoting oral health or increasing her knowledge in the ever-growing field of dentistry. She is a part of the Australia Dental Association and is actively involved as the current president in the Northern Territory.
Emma has a keen interest in paediatric and special needs dentistry and enjoys treating children. She can offer treatment under inhalation sedation (happy gas) and general anaesthetics if necessary. However, Emma finds the most rewarding experience from treating patients who she can help overcome their dental anxieties in the chair. nEmma is passionate about providing her patients minimal intervention dentistry in a caring and friendly environment. Outside of the clinic, you can find Emma enjoying the Darwin lifestyle camping and photographing the scenery.
Emily Moar
Emily graduated from TAFE SA with an Advanced Diploma in Oral Health (Dental Hygiene). Her passion for oral health began in her years as a dental assistant – she has over 13 years’ experience in the industry working both interstate, international and remote NT.
Emily’s focus is on oral health education and prevention of gum disease, and she finds treating and maintaining a healthy mouth, free of active gum disease, one of the most enjoyable aspects of her job as a dental hygienist. Emily enjoys working with Periodontal Specialists to provide complete care for patients with extra requirements.
If you are wanting a brighter smile, Emily is experienced in all aspects of in-chair and take home whitening. She specialises in managing common difficulties such as sensitivity, uneven discolorations and anxious patients. She also our go to provider for mouthguards and retainers.
Emily is originally from North Queensland but has lived in Darwin on and off for the past 8 years. She is looking forward to settling in Darwin as her forever home and in late 2022 welcomed her first baby here. She is a country girl at heart, so enjoys what Darwin has to offer such as swimming, camping, and exploring in her down time. Emily’s bubbly and caring personality will put patients at ease and allow them to look forward to their 6 monthly hygiene appointments.
Dr Sinead Ruane
Dr Sinead Ruane graduated, with honours from University of Dublin, Trinity College in 2002.
Thereafter she took on the role of House Officer at Dublin Dental Hospital, during which time she successfully completed her membership exams for the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland.
She then worked in a busy Private Practice outside Dublin for 3 years, after which she decided to spread her wings and do some travelling. This decision lead her to Darwin where she has been working in Private Dental Practice for the past 18 years.
Sinead enjoys every aspect of dentistry and loves treating all members of the family. She particularly enjoys helping anxious patients overcome their fears and achieving results which they never saw possible at the outset.
Sinead has a young, active family and in her spare time can be frequently seen hanging out at the various sporting facilities Marrara has to offer! She is also a member of Darwin Triathlon Club and enjoys all things swimming, cycling and running, frequently competing at both local and interstate races.
Dr Zi En Lim
Dr Zi Lim graduated from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, with a Bachelor of Dental Science. Originally from Singapore and raised in Adelaide, Zi has traversed the globe to pursue his passion for dentistry. He moved to Dublin where, since completing his degree, Zi practised as a general dentist in a variety of private practices in Dublin and Wicklow and has now moved to Darwin to enjoy all the multicultural aspects of our tropical paradise.
While he enjoys all facets of dental care, Zi has a particular interest in emergency dentistry: relieving pain and preserving teeth, with a special focus on advanced modalities in root canal therapy.
Zi is driven by a passion for delivering minimally invasive, science-based dental treatments. He has collaborated on scientific papers with several dental specialists, publishing them in the British Dental Journal. As a peer-reviewer for the Irish Journal of Medical Sciences, Zi actively contributes to the advancement of dental knowledge. He also regularly attends courses to stay updated on the latest developments and offer the most modern dental treatments to his patients.
Outside of dentistry, Zi is a bit of a foodie and enjoys travelling…mostly to explore other food cuisines.
DR Erna Melton
Dr Erna Melton graduated with a degree in dentistry from QLD university. Since 1996, she has been the owner and principal practitioner of Trower Dental, which now employs a staff of thirteen. Dr Melton is passionate about problem solving and applying a holistic approach to health. She strives to look past the obvious treatments, and then provides her patients with a choice of solutions that best suit.
Her current studies are in the field of Occlusal Design; restoring worn, eroded, or ground down teeth with conservative dentistry. Dr Melton likes to work in collaboration with other specialities, whether in the field of dentistry or alternative medicines.
Dr Melton has been a lifetime member of the ADA, an active member of the DBA and sits on a number of committees there.
Dr Thea Tran
Dr Thea Tran graduated from The University of Queensland with both a Bachelor of Biomedical Science with honours and Dental Science.
Her holistic approach to patient treatment places special emphasis on minimal intervention dentistry and preventative oral health practise.
Thea prides herself on her gentle approach and aims to make every dental visit as stress-free as possible. Although interested in all aspects of dentistry, Thea finds most satisfaction in helping nervous patients overcome their dental anxiety.
Thea is personally committed to continuing education and has attended many courses to enable her capacity to offer the best and most up-to-date dental treatment for her patients.
She is currently studying orthodontics at the University of Sydney.
Dr Emma Neibling
Dr Emma Neibling graduated from James Cook University with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery and an academic medal.
Her dedication to the health profession has led her to be actively involved in the local dental community either promoting oral health or increasing her knowledge in the ever-growing field of dentistry.
Emma is passionate about providing her patients minimal intervention dentistry in a caring and friendly environment.
