Cash for Candy

Local dentists and orthodontists want your kids’ candy.

In an effort to promote healthy habits, area dental offices are giving Trick or Treaters $1 for every pound of Halloween candy exchanged. And the transactions seem to be without any tricks.

“When (the kids) turn around and they have money in their hands they are really excited,” said Doug Gray, operations officer for Personalized Dental Care. “So they are usually headed off to the store right after visiting.”

Personalized Dental Care will be accepting candy from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at its three locations in Roseville and Lincoln.

Nearby Alexander and Martin Orthodontics in Rocklin will also be giving $1 for every pound of candy up to five pounds, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

Personalized Dental Care will donate their candy to Blue Stars Moms, parents of troops serving overseas who will receive their candy. Members will be on hand to weigh the candy. They will also be making a separate donation to the Eureka Unified School District, Rocklin Unified School District and the Roseville City School District. 

The candy often doubles as packing material for the mothers sending care packages. “Last year was really heart warming we got a lot of responses from the troops so it encouraged us to do it again,” said Gray.

Gray said the office saves many of the ‘thank you’ letters. One in particular mentions the candy's impact. 

“Some days are definitely better than others, but it always brings a smile to my face when I receive a little piece of home,” wrote Army Specialist Laurie Dunlap, to the dental offices in 2010. “I take pride in serving my country but it is supporters like you that remind me why I do it.”

At Alexander and Martin, the orthodontics office received more than 200 pounds of candy last year.

“The kids are actually ecstatic to get the money,” said Kayla Lemargie, with Alexander and Martin. “Especially the little kids.”

The Rocklin office will send their candy to Operation Gratitude. The group also sends their candy to military personnel overseas.

Orthodontics offices take the candy to promote sugar in moderation, but also because of special concerns for kids with braces.

“In November we see kids suffer from tons of broken brackets,” Lemargie. “This is a good way to be getting rid of the candy that they shouldn’t be eating.”

Where to Take Candy:

Personalized Dental Care has three locations:

• 1258 Coloma Way in Roseville, (916) 784-1144 

• 4000 Foothills Boulevard, Suite 126 in Roseville,
(916) 771-7200

• 945 Orchard Creek Lane, Ste. E in Lincoln,
(916) 408-5557

Alexander and Martin Orthodontics is located at 6809 Five Star Blvd. Ste 300 in Rocklin, 630-0306

Other area dentists and orthodontists participating in Candy Buy Backs this week are:

• Weideman Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, 7916 Pebble Beach Dr., Ste. 101 in Citrus Heights, (916) 962-0577

• Rocklin Kids Dentists, 5420 Park Dr. in Rocklin, (916) 453-5230

• Kineret Orthodontics, 6819 Lonetree Blvd., #104, (916) 772-5832