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SALT LAKE CITY — Getting as much candy as possible is nearly every child’s goal on Halloween, but sometimes they end up with more than they should eat.
In an attempt to get excess sugary goods out of the hands of children, many local dentists are participating in programs to “buy back” candy from families. The dental clinic at Roseman University, located at 10894 S. River Front Parkway in South Jordan, had collected about 300 pounds of candy by noon Monday, according to marketing director Tracy Hernandez.
In exchange for one pound of candy, visitors receive a $25 voucher good for any dental treatment at the Roseman clinic. Each person can redeem up to eight pounds of candy, totaling $200 in vouchers, until 5 p.m. Monday.
The candy buy back deal at Roseman was the idea of one of the school's faculty members who had done the same thing at his private clinic in previous years, Hernandez said. Students will determine where the candy is going to be donated after it is collected.
I think it's more than just getting paid for the candy.
–Kelsey Kenyon, Pinecrest Dental
“(The faculty member) thought it would be a good opportunity not only to get a little bit of the sugar and candy out of circulation after Halloween, because there is so much, but also a way for us to offer really affordable care for kids,” she said.
The procedures at Roseman are performed by dental students and cost 50-70 percent less than typical clinics, according to Hernandez. Visitors can receive free dental screenings on any day during regular business hours.
Other dentists in Utah are participating in the national Halloween Candy Buyback program, which pays $1 for each pound of candy and donates the collected treats to U.S. troops overseas through Operation Gratitude. More than 2,500 dentists and orthodontists across the U.S. signed up in 2014, according to NPR. Participating dentists can be found using a search tool online.
Pinecrest Dental, located at 463 W. Murray Boulevard in Murray, has been participating in the program for several years. The amount of candy collected has grown each year, according to Kelsey Kenyon, who is running the campaign at the clinic this year.
“They benefit from it because they get paid for their candy, but it’s pretty cool going through Operation Gratitude and being able to send it to deployed troops,” she said. “I think it’s more than just getting paid for the candy.”
Pinecrest Dental will be collecting candy from 4-7 p.m. Monday.
Excess candy can also be put to good use in other ways. Primary Children’s Hospital suggested donating candy to places like the Ronald McDonald House, nursing homes, children’s hospitals, shelters and food pantries in a list released in 2013.
