This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Dentists Team Up for Halloween Candy Buyback Program

Share your trick-or-treat candy with American troops overseas.

Candy buyback programs have been becoming more and more popular in recent years, offering parents a way to keep the kids’ cavities to a minimum. Since 2004, Operation Gratitude has been partnering with dentists all over the country, “buying back” candy from trick-or-treaters and sending those fun size chocolate bars and other Halloween treats to military personnel serving overseas.

Help troop morale by participating this year; you can buy the candy back from your kids. Some families go with $0.10 per piece, or if you have a scale at home, you could pay per pound. Candy buyback programs, especially Operation Gratitude, are a great way to teach your kids a valuable lesson about caring for others (and their teeth).

In addition to Halloween candy, Operation Gratitude welcomes donations of toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, scarves, hats, protein bars, small plush animals, CDs and DVDs to put in care packages.

Find out what's happening in Upper Marlborowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

To participate in the 2012 Candy Buyback Program, visit one of the participating dentists listed below. 

Rodney Floyd DDS
1017 Generals Hwy
Crownsville, MD, 21401
Phone: (410) 923-2586
Email: rodneyfloyddds@yahoo.com
www.greaterannapolisfamilydental.com

Childrens Dental Office
2225 Defense Highway
Crofton, Md, 21114
Phone: (410) 721-3393
Email: croftonortho@yahoo.com

Woodview Orthodontics
1401 Mercantile Ln#102
Largo, MD, 20774
Phone: 301-773-7703
Email: jessica@woodviewdental.com
Woodviewdental.com

Berry Children Dental
10208 Lake Arbor Way
Mitchellville, MD, 20721
Phone: 301-333-2282
Email: berrychildsdental@comcast.net
www.Berrychildrendental.com

Dr. Karen Gonzalez
17000 Science Drive Suite 206
Bowie, MD, 20715
Phone: (301) 464-4672
Email: aacdteam@aol.com
www.drkarengonzalez.com

Kool Smiles
6471 Marlboro Pike
District Heights, MD, 20747
Phone: (866) 438-5665
Email: smiley@mykoolsmiles.com

Find out what's happening in Upper Marlborowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

If you don’t see a dentist in your area, visit the Operation Gratitude website and enter your zip code to locate one.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Upper Marlboro