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LAYTON, Utah (AP) -- Don't like the gooey stuff? Terry Preece will buy it and any other Halloween sweets.
Kids brought their sugary haul to the dentist, who paid $1 for every pound Thursday.
"We probably have 100 to 150 pounds," Preece said at mid-afternoon, adding that two kids had hit the 10-pound limit. "I expect a rush when school gets out."
He said he took in 600 pounds at $2 a pound in 2005, the first year. Overwhelmed with the response, and a few bucks poorer, he cut the bounty to $1 per pound in 2006.
"We want to make sure the kids don't eat the candy and get cavities and get hyper and restless in school," he said. "If they could snack on fruits and vegetables and cheese -- those are sure better for them."
Preece said the candy will be used to make Christmas decorations that are part of a hospital fundraiser.
When pressed, he conceded that an occasional piece is OK if you're a good brusher. He enjoys Almond Joy and said his daughter passed out candy on Halloween.
"That's off the record," he joked.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
