Delta Dental of Michigan launches Smile Detroit initiative
PRESS RELEASE: Aug. 24, 2026
Contact: Jordyn Imhoff, Senior Communications and Public Relations Officer, Delta Dental of Michigan
313-798-0205, news@deltadentalmi.com
Delta Dental of Michigan launches Smile Detroit initiative
Okemos, Michigan—Delta Dental recognizes kids need more than backpacks and school supplies for a successful school year. Enter Smile Detroit, a program aimed at improving oral health to increase school attendance and student success in Detroit and could be replicated in other cities.
The initiative kicked off Aug. 7 during Bike Night at the Joe Louis Greenway Pavilion as part of Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield's Occupy the Summer series. Margaret Trimer, vice president of strategic partnerships, handed out toothbrushes and shared a formula for success: 2x2+20. Brush twice a day for two minutes and read for 20 minutes.
Why this matters: More than 34 million school hours are lost each year in the U.S. because of untreated oral health issues. By spotlighting the importance of oral health, we continue to meet our mission and set more students up for success.
In partnership with the Delta Dental Foundation, Detroit Public Schools, the city of Detroit, Gardner White and Henry Ford Health System, we aim to educate and connect families to the resources to find a dentist and access care. The goal is to reduce absenteeism and get more kids to the dentist.
"We've always said, 'It takes a village to raise a child,' I'm asking Detroit to be that village," Mayor Sheffield said.
In addition to attending Bike Night, we joined the Detroit Occupy the Summer finale at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Detroit where families came together for back-to-school giveaways, community activities, and a game of touch football featuring hip-hop artist and Detroit native Big Sean and Mayor Sheffield.
"A healthy smile can have a lasting impact on a child's future," Trimer said. "Smile Detroit brings together schools, families, dentists and community partners to help children access care so they can spend less time dealing with dental problems and more time focused on learning, growing and thriving."
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Delta Dental of Michigan began operations in 1957, and today with its affiliates is one of the largest dental plan administrators in the country. Delta Dental companies nationwide comprise the Delta Dental Plans Association, which provides coverage to more than 83 million Americans and operates two of the nation’s largest networks of participating dentists.
In addition to providing comprehensive dental benefits, Delta Dental of Michigan also provides vision benefits in partnership with VSP® Vision Care, and invests in initiatives that support healthy, smart, vibrant communities. Learn more at deltadentalmi.com.