Tiny Tots Health Initiative Receives $5,000 Grant to Support Children’s Oral Health in Detroit

Tiny Tots Health Initiative is proud to announce that it has received a $5,000 Community Mini-Grant from the Delta Dental Foundation to launch Tiny Smiles Detroit: Early Dental Visit Education and Navigation Pilot.

The 12-month initiative, running from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027, will help children and caregivers in Detroit better understand the importance of oral health and early dental care. Through accessible educational resources, oral-health supplies, and guidance on navigating dental services, the program aims to make healthy habits easier for families to begin and maintain.

Many families face barriers to preventive dental care, including limited access to clear health information, difficulty navigating available services, and uncertainty about when a child should first visit the dentist. Tiny Smiles Detroit will help address these challenges by sharing practical, family-friendly information in a trusted community setting.

The pilot will be carried out in collaboration with Detroit Health Clinics. By incorporating oral-health education into families’ existing healthcare experiences, the project will meet children and caregivers where they already receive care.

“This grant is an exciting opportunity to help families feel more informed and confident about caring for their children’s oral health,” said Fadie Arabo, founder and president of Tiny Tots Health Initiative. “We are deeply grateful to the Delta Dental Foundation for believing in this project and helping us expand the support we provide to children and caregivers in the Detroit community.”

Since its founding in 2019, Tiny Tots Health Initiative has worked to make pediatric health information more understandable and engaging through children’s books, educational cards, games, and Healthy Boxes. Tiny Smiles Detroit represents another step toward the organization’s broader goal of giving families the knowledge and resources they need to make informed health decisions.

Tiny Tots Health Initiative extends its sincere gratitude to the Delta Dental Foundation for supporting this work through its Community Mini-Grants program.

We look forward to sharing updates, stories, and lessons from Tiny Smiles Detroit throughout the coming year.