Pictured here: Maddie Branson (left) and Milly Griffin-Appadoo (right)
For Curtin alumnae Milly Griffin-Appadoo and Maddie Branson – Molar Bears (a mobile dental service for children and families) wasn鈥檛 just a business idea.
The concept grew from the quiet, confronting moments they witnessed every day, where families were trying their best to access dental care for their children, yet still falling through the cracks.
Between juggling work, school commitments, extracurricular activities and everything in between, booking a dental appointment became just another task on a parents ever-growing to-do list.
鈥淚 kept seeing families who cared deeply about their children鈥檚 health but simply couldn鈥檛 access care easily,鈥欌 Maddie said.
鈥淧arents were juggling work, multiple children, and long wait times, and dental visits kept slipping down the priority list, not because they didn鈥檛 value it, but because the system wasn鈥檛 built for them.鈥
At the same time, Maddie and Millie were seeing children arriving at dental appointments anxious, overwhelmed, and afraid – and stepping into unfamiliar clinical environments.
So, it got them thinking.
What if care didn鈥檛 require families to rearrange their lives?
What if it came to them instead?
Guided by a philosophy of prevention, Molar Bears provides mobile accessible dental care for children and families by taking dental services beyond the traditional clinic settings and into spaces where children already feel safe.
Travelling to early learning centres, playgroups and patients鈥 homes Maddie and Milly were able to deliver children鈥檚 oral health earlier and in a setting that didn鈥檛 trigger anxiety or fear.
With a fully portable dental unit, Molar Bears makes dental care simple, supportive, and achievable for modern families by focusing on prevention, education and early intervention.
Through Molar Bears, Milly and Maddie are reimagining what accessible dental care looks like.
For them, accessibility isn鈥檛 just about convenience.
鈥淚t鈥檚 about care that fits into people鈥檚 lives,鈥 Milly said.
鈥淟ocation, timing, affordability, but also emotional safety.鈥
That emotional shift is where the real impact lives.
The once-anxious child who now sits comfortably in the chair or the small hands that now grip a toothbrush with confidence.
Mille and Maddie said receiving photos from parents of their children brushing their teeth with big smiles 鈥 brings them the greatest joy.
鈥淚t goes far beyond teeth,鈥 Milly said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about confidence, dignity, and feeling safe.鈥
Both Milly and Maddie bring complementary strengths to their work.
Milly, who studied Oral Health Therapy at Curtin, draws on a strong clinical foundation and a willingness to challenge traditional models of care, while Maddie, a Human Biology Preclinical alumna, brings a scientific lens and a deep passion for creating positive patient experiences.
Together, they are united by a shared belief that early, positive interventions can help shape lifelong health outcomes.
Milly said looking ahead, Molar Bears hopes to expand nationally, reaching schools, aged care and special needs communities.
Their vision is to become a trusted, community-integrated preventative health service that supports people at every stage of life.
Because it doesn鈥檛 matter if it鈥檚 a child overcoming fear, or an elderly patient rediscovering comfort and confidence, the impact at the end of the day is the same.
Offering quality dental care that is proactive, accessible and delivered in environments where people feel safe, and shaping healthier futures for every patient they reach.
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We have a September Graduations Competition winner! 馃ぉ馃帀
A huge congratulations to Shanta Biswas, our 2026 红桃视频 Alumni September Graduations Competition winner! 馃挍
Graduating with a Master鈥檚 in Information System and Technology, Shanta is now taking home a very special alumni prize pack.
As an avid singer and performer, she said she was most excited about using the Bose noise-cancelling headphones. 馃幎
鈥淭hey鈥檙e going to be perfect for focusing and relaxing with some music,鈥 she said.
Congratulations Shanta and to everyone who graduated this September. We can鈥檛 wait to see where your journey takes you next! 馃帗馃挮
Just graduated? Check out the Curtin Graduate Guide link in bio. 馃敆
Home is often more than just a place, it鈥檚 a feeling.鉂わ笍 听 For Curtin Creative Arts graduate and Perth-based Iranian artist Yasamin Khadembashi, art became a way to explore identity, culture and belonging. 馃帹听 听 Growing up in her family鈥檚 home surrounded by beautiful Persian carpets, Yasamin was drawn to their intricate patterns, vibrant colours and exceptional craftsmanship.
Living with dyslexia, art became a space for her to escape, heal and find a sense of belonging.听 听 As a 2026 The Lester Prize finalist, Yasamin鈥檚 self-portrait, Immoral Warrior, inspired by the Persian Pahlavan, reimagines the traditionally masculine figure through a contemporary queer, feminist lens.听 听 Discover more of Yasamin鈥檚 work in #CurtinCommons via the link in bio. 馃敆 听 馃摳Photo credit: 鈥業mmoral Warrior鈥 photos taken by Isabel Turner.
Shanghai you stunner! Our alumni team had the best time exploring the beautiful Yuyuan Garden last night. Tonight we host our alumni sundowner at the J Hotel 馃馃...
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What a way to start a Friday! 馃檶馃寠馃ぉ
Before the rest of Perth had woken up, our female alumni and community members came together at Trigg Beach for a special sunrise swim with fellow Curtin graduate and Founder of Sea Gals, Tara Jeisman. 馃挋
As part of Curtin`s Giving Day celebrations, this morning was a chance for our community to embrace the freezing cold ocean, be brave, connect and show up authentically.
But there was an even bigger reason to dive in, as part of the Because They Dare Appeal every dollar raised this morning was helping students overcome barriers to education and help build brighter futures. 馃挮
A big thank you to Tara and the @seagals crew for making this morning possible. It was so wonderful to see so many of you embracing the spirit of giving and making new connections! 馃馃
Ni Hao China! 馃嚚馃嚦鉂わ笍 Our alumni team have touched down in Shanghai ahead of our alumni sundowner this weekend. Looking forward to seeing what they get up to and the incredible alumni they鈥檒l meet in this beautiful part of the world!...
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Celebrating Giving Day 2026! 馃帀馃挍馃檶 听 Yesterday our Curtin community took a well-earned pause from their busy day to connect, have some fun and give back to something bigger than themselves. 听 From micro-volunteering with Curtin Volunteers and yoga with @curtinsport, to cuddles with the beautiful pups from @deltatherapydogs, delicious gelato by @thatlittlegelatocart and live portraits by @dalstudios - there was something for everyone! 馃惗馃帹 听 In support of Curtin鈥檚 annual Because They Dare campaign, every dollar raised supported the Curtin Cares 红桃视频 Students Equity Scholarship and Curtin Student Professional Development Grants. 馃摎馃崕 听 It was fantastic to see so many of our alumni, students and staff come together for Giving Day, reminding us of what鈥檚 possible when a community rallies behinds its students. 馃 听 Thank you to everyone who got involved and helped make Giving Day 2026 one to remember! 馃 听 Want to make a difference? Learn more about Because They Dare via the link in bio. 馃敆 听 #CurtinUniversity #GivingDay #Community #Impact #MakeADifference...
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Our Djilba (September) Graduations have officially kicked off! 馃帗馃帀鉁 听 Congratulations to all our new Curtin alumni who are celebrating this weekend! 馃憦 听 Your hard work, late nights and perseverance have brought you here and you should be immensely proud.
Although this marks the end of your student journey, your next chapter as a Curtin alumni is only just beginning 馃挍馃挮 听 If you鈥檝e just graduated, make sure to enter our Curtin Alumni Competition for new Graduates to go in the running to WIN an epic Alumni Prize Pack! 馃ぉ馃巵 听听 Find out more via the link in bio. 馃敆 听 #CurtinUniversity #CurtinAlumni #Graduations #Celebration #September...
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Rise and shine! 馃寠馃尀鉁
As part of Curtin鈥檚 Giving Day, all female alumni and community members are invited to join Curtin graduate and Founder of @_seagals_ , Tara Jeisman for a sunrise dip at South Trigg Beach on Friday 11 September. 馃寠馃寘
Inspired by the @_seagals_ ethos of connection, confidence and showing up authentically, this special Giving Day event is a chance to slow down, connect and remind ourselves of the power of community. 馃挋
饾悇饾惎饾悶饾惂饾惌 饾悵饾悶饾惌饾悮饾悽饾惀饾惉: 馃搯 Friday 11 September 鈴 6:00鈥7:30am 馃搷 Meet in front of Surfing WA, South Trigg Beach 鈽曪笍 Post-swim coffee at @foam_trigg
For those who join us, there鈥檚 an even bigger reason to dive in. 馃挮
As part of the Because They Dare Appeal, every dollar raised from the morning will help students overcome barriers to education and build brighter futures. 馃挍
Don鈥檛 miss out, register to attend via link in bio. 馃敆
WIN the ultimate Curtin Alumni Prize Pack worth more than $2000! 鉁煡仇煄
Curtin Alumni has teamed up with Curtin Exchange and Curtin Sport and Recreation to gift one lucky graduate:
馃憻 1 x Curtin Sport and Recreation 12-month gym membership 馃嵔锔 2 x $50 Exchange at Curtin dining vouchers 鈱 1 x Garmin Watch 馃イ 1 x YETI water bottle 馃帶 1 x set of Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 馃捀1 x $500 cash card.
To enter, follow @curtinalumni on Instagram and tag a friend in the comments of our pinned competition post (1 x entry) or additionally, post a photo celebrating your graduation and tag @curtinalumni in the post (2 x entries).
Don鈥檛 miss out, make sure to enter before 3PM (AWST) on Friday 11 September for a chance to win! 馃ぉ
Graduating this September? WIN a Curtin Alumni Prize Pack worth over $2K!听馃ぉ馃帀馃帗
Curtin Alumni has joined forces with @curtinsports and @curtin_exchange to give away the ultimate alumni prize pack for ONE lucky grad. 馃槺 The prizes include:
馃憻 1 x Curtin Sport and Recreation 12-month gym membership 馃嵔锔2 x $50 Exchange at Curtin dining vouchers 鈱 1 x Garmin Watch 馃イ 1 x YETI water bottle 馃帶 1 x set of Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 馃捀1 x $500 cash card.
To enter, simply follow @curtinalumni on Instagram and tag a friend in the comments of this post (1 x entry) or additionally, post a photo celebrating your graduation and tag @curtinalumni in the post (2 x entries).
The more friends you tag, the better your chances are of winning. 馃槈
Make this year one to remember and enter before 3PM (AWST) on Friday 11 September for a chance to win! 馃
See the full list of T&C鈥檚 in Alumni Benefits & Resources via the link in bio. 馃敆