Michigan dentist to buy back kids’ Halloween candy, send it to soldiers

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Worried about your kids’ teeth this Halloween? Why not suggest that they sell all that candy for a good cause?

Next week a dentist Portage, Michigan, Susan M. Dennis, will be holding her fourth annual Halloween Candy Buyback.

On November 5, kids cash in their unwrapped Halloween candy for one dollar per pound. Participants will also be eligible to win an iPod touch.

Dennis is teaming up with Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit organization that sends care packages to troops overseas, to both keep kids’ smiles cavity-free this Halloween and make the troops’ holidays sweeter. The candy collected will be sent to soldiers serving overseas during the holiday season.

Participants will also have the opportunity to write letters to troops, thanking them for their service to the country.

"We want Michigan kids to have healthy teeth and beautiful smiles," Dennis said of the buyback in 2011. “Our team is encouraging children to treat our troops with a portion of their Halloween candy.”

According to the official Halloween Candy Buyback website, “Halloween candy represents a warm memory of life “back home” and children that care enough to donate candy in support of our troops.”

“Those troops are risking their lives every day. If a little piece of candy can provide a moment of happiness, why not?”

To those concerned about the dental health of the troops overseas, the site added that the troops are adults and “certainly understand how to keep their mouths healthy by now. Children are still learning how to brush, floss, and take care of their teeth.”

Learn more about Halloween candy and tooth decay here.

And learn more about the Halloween Candy Buybacks being held at dental offices around America here.