Is Your Dentist Offering Candy Buy Back?

Dr. Mike Thomas, a dentist in Abington, Mass., wants children to turn over their Halloween candy, and he'll give anyone who does a dollar for each pound of sweets.

According to The Enterprise , Dr. Thomas of Abington Family Dental Care is hosting the Great Halloween Buy Back on Sunday. And like many other dentists across the country he hopes that children will turn in their treats, which in turn will be shipped to troops overseas through a non-profit group called Operation Gratitude.

"Ditch the candy, that's what we're saying," Thomas told the newspaper. "Visiting your dentist twice a year and brushing and flossing daily are great preventative measures, but doing away with excess sweets altogether would really give your teeth a healthy boost."

Thomas heard about the program through a dental Web site. The Great Halloween Buy Back national campaign was started by Dr. Chris Kammer, a dentist in Wisconsin, in 2005. The organizers of the campaign say they do not want to dampen the fun of Halloween, but rather celebrate in a way that is healthy. The campaign's Web site states, "As responsible dentists, community members, and U.S. citizens, Halloween Candy Buy Back dentists have found a way to keep the fun, while helping kids and our overseas troops."

The site has a dentist lookup , so you can find a local dentists holding buy back events. The campaign even has a Facebook Fan page .

In Trinity, Fla., Thompson Dental is inviting children and parents to their Great Halloween Candy Buy Back on Monday, Nov. 2. "This is our first year," Dr. Christopher Thompson said to Tampa Bay Online . "I'm hoping for a big turnout."

Children who trade in their candy with dentists Shawn Morris and Daniel Simmons, of Westland, Mich., will receive a glow-in-the-dark toothbrush and a bag of gifts, according to The Observer & Eccentric . There will also be a raffle to win one of three Nano iPods.

Candy swaps are gaining popularity this year. A dental group in Bridgeport, W. Va. is planning its annual "Trick-or-Treat for the Troops" candy buy back on Monday. Dr. Steffany Mohan, of West Des Moines, Iowa, calls her campaign "Cash for Candy" and is offering a dollar for every pound on candy on Sunday.