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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Congratulations to Curtin Business graduate Jesse Wagstaff and former Curtin student Peter Bol on being selected for the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games! 馃挌馃挍
In this year鈥檚 games, Jesse will don the green and gold in Glasgow for the Australian men鈥檚 basketball team, while Peter will take to the track in the Men鈥檚 800m event. 馃弨馃憻
With just one sleep to go, we wish both Jesse and Peter all the very best as they compete to bring home the gold for Australia!
The 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games begins on Friday, 24 July (AWST). 馃棑锔
Read our article on Peter Bol鈥檚 in #CurtinCommons via link in bio. 馃敆
At just 10 years old, 红桃视频 Commerce graduate Sam Kaye landed his first job stocking fridges at Daisies Cottesloe. 馃帗鈽 听 Little did he know that years later, he would become the co-owner of his beloved childhood cafe. 馃挍 听 Operating for more than a decade, Sam has hustled to elevate Daisies into so much more than a caf茅, but a lasting experience. 听 Now, the renowned restaurateur is also the co-owner of The Pantry Group, consisting of Perth beachside cafe鈥檚 Ol鈥橞uoy, The Other Side, Side Piece Deli and, of course, Daisies. 馃嵔锔忦煂 听 Although hospitality was always his childhood dream, the start of Sam鈥檚 career took a different turn. 馃憖 听 Read Sam鈥檚 full story below. 馃憞 听 #CurtinUniversity #CurtinAlumni #Business #Alumni #Perth...
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Jul 15
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The Curtin Alumni Team is deeply saddened by the passing of our architecture graduate, Afia Anjum. 馃挍
Just weeks before graduation last year, Afia received the devastating news that doctors had discovered a rare and aggressive tumour.
Even as her world changed in an instant, Afia remained remarkably humble, positive and grateful. Newly married, she thanked Curtin for arranging a private graduation ceremony with her husband and closest friends, in case she was not well enough to attend the official ceremony in September.
Despite months of gruelling chemotherapy, Afia walked across the graduation stage in September alongside her peers and held the degree she had fought so hard to achieve.
Our alumni team stayed in touch with Afia throughout her treatment, joining the many people who were hoping, praying and cheering her on every step of the way.
Although she held her Curtin degree for only a short time, Afia leaves behind a legacy far greater than any qualification. She embodied the courage to keep going, the determination to pursue her dreams, and the spirit of never giving up, even in the face of unimaginable adversity.
We are incredibly grateful to have known her, and we know her story will continue to inspire others for years to come.
Her strength, warmth and smile will never be forgotten. 馃晩锔
To read Afia鈥檚 full story, visit #CurtinCommons via the link in our bio. 馃敆
Behind the sirens, Curtin paramedicine graduate Karen Hollings has experienced the best, and worst of humanity. 馃┖
Eleven years ago, while on duty as a St John WA paramedic, Karen developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after being assaulted by a patient. 馃殤
This incident left Karen seriously injured and unsure if she would ever return to work. To this day, Karen credits her therapy dog for helping her heal from the traumatic event.
As the Founder of Dogs For First Responders, Karen is helping to bridge the gap between first responders performing their duties and seeking support. 馃
The charity provides support for first responders through the power of therapy dogs and experienced first responders. 馃惗馃挍
POV: That one friend who plays every sport. 鈿斤笍馃弨馃張馃幘
Make friends and stay active this winter with Curtin Social Sports! 馃檶
Whether you鈥檙e keen to听try something new or just in it for the laughs, now鈥檚 the time to rally your mates and pick your fave sport before it鈥檚 too late!
You can register as an individual or with friends -听everyone鈥檚 welcome! 馃
Don鈥檛 miss out, register your spot via link in bio. 馃敆
What does a week in the life of an artist look like? 馃憖馃帹
It鈥檚 far from boring for Curtin Arts graduate and John Curtin Gallery Coordinator Mikaela Miller!
Mikaela shares her busy week, from preparing for upcoming exhibitions at the Gallery to creating some new artwork in her studio at Goolugatup Heathcoate.
Make sure to visit @johncurtingallery to check out the Gallery鈥檚 current exhibitions. 馃枌锔
Read our full interview with Mikaela via link in bio. 馃敆
What does a week in the life of an Event Manager & Producer involve? 馃憖馃帳馃帾
Curtin Arts & Commerce graduate Justine Peovitis gives us a glimpse into what a busy week looks like working for one of Perth鈥檚 premiere event companies, Event Conference & Co.
Justine shares behind-the-scenes of the 2026 WA Nursing & Midwifery Excellence Awards. 馃┖馃幀
This is your sign to take a trip down memory lane with your bestie and experience everything there is to offer at Curtin Exchange! 馃檪鈥嶁啎锔忦煓岎煃
Curtin graduates Kezia and Jess returned to campus to enjoy some of the delicious food on offer at Banh Mizzle, Hee Sushi & Sake, Seoul Bros and Milky Lane. 馃嵄馃崸馃崪
Want to reconnect with Curtin? Discover more in The Graduate Guide via the link in bio. 馃敆
Curtin Arts & Commerce graduate Mikaela Zuiderduyn is racing around the world for one of Australia鈥檚 most ambitious filmmaking challenges, ABC鈥檚 Race Around the World. 馃審馃帴馃弮馃徎鈥嶁檧锔
A young Mikaela was always drawn to film, never imagining that this passion would later push her further than she had ever been before. 馃憖
Over 100 days, Mikaela will join five emerging filmmakers travelling solo through 10 countries, producing a new short film every 10 days! 馃幀馃槺
鈥淥ver 10,000 people applied, so to be involved in this series is beyond anything in my wildest dreams.鈥
As the youngest participant in the series, Mikaela brings a fresh Gen-Z voice, blending digital culture with cinematic storytelling to create emotive, human-driven content grounded in everyday life. 馃挕馃
鈥淏eing the youngest person on the show feels like a huge but worthy weight to carry.鈥
Joining five other filmmakers from around the country, Mikaela is excited to share voices from places the everyday person may never reach.
鈥淭o be able to broadcast the failures, challenges, struggles, competition and success are so needed in this time of perfectly curated feeds 鈥 I can only hope to do this opportunity some justice.鈥
Race Around the World premieres Sunday, 7 June on ABC TV & iView. 馃摵
Curtin Mauritius you are AMAZING! 馃帀馃帗 听 Last week our alumni team travelled to Mauritius to celebrate our newest wave of graduates. 鉁堬笍馃審 听 We also had the pleasure of attending the Curtin Mauritius Alumni Awards and connecting with so many remarkable alumni. 听 To our newest graduates 鈥 welcome to your global Curtin alumni family! 馃 听 As you move into this new chapter, may you step forward with confidence, purpose, and pride, knowing that your story is only just beginning. 馃挍 听 Discover our global Curtin Alumni Community in the Curtin Graduate Guide via the link in bio. 馃敆 听 #CurtinUniversity #CurtinMauritius #Graduation #Alumni #Event...
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May 25
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We had so much fun at Curtin Open Day 2026! 馃帀馃憦
From playing a giant game of Jenga to exploring our #BecauseTheyDare merch 鈥 thank you to everyone who stopped by to chat with our alumni team! 馃
A massive thank you to our superstar alumni volunteers who dedicated time during their weekend to share their invaluable perspectives on where a Curtin degree can take you. 馃帗馃挮
No matter where life takes you, we are here to help you thrive! 馃挍
Want to get involved in our alumni community? Discover more via the link in bio. 馃敆