Halloween candy exchange programs
Several dentist offices in the area are offering Halloween candy buyback programs this season.
Dentist offices will give children money or other items in exchange for unopened candy, and then will donate the candy to charities and organizations such as Operation Gratitude, which sends care packages to U.S. service members deployed in hostile regions, their children left behind, wounded warriors, veterans and first responders.
Here is a list of local dentist offices that are offering Halloween candy buyback programs. This is a sampling, rather than a complete list. Call your dentist to see if he/she is participating.
For more information on Halloween candy buyback programs, go to www.halloweencandybuyback.com.
Michael W. McConnell, DDS, General Dentist (at The Greene Town Center)
- 4380 Buckeye Lane, Suite 218, Beavercreek, Ohio 45440; 937-912-0101
- Children can bring their candy to the office from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2. They will be given $1 for each pound of candy, up to a maximum of $5. Participants also can enter a free raffle to win one of three Sonicare toothbrushes. Candy will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Thomas C. Volck, DDS
- 270 James Bohanan Drive, Vandalia, Ohio 45377; 937-898-8990
- Children can bring their candy to this office from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1. They will receive $1 per pound of candy. The candy will be donated to Operation Gratitude.
Mack Wright DDS
- 1028 E. U.S. Highway 36, Urbana, Ohio 43078; 937-652-4111
- Children can bring their candy to the office from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3. They will receive $1 per pound of candy, up to $5. All participants will receive a free toothbrush. The candy will be donated to Operation Gratitude.
Excellence in Dentistry
- 1523 N. Market St., Troy, Ohio 45373, 937-335-4630
- Children can bring their candy to the office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29, through Friday, Nov. 9. They will receive $1 for each pound of candy, and can bring in up to five pounds. Children also can enter into a drawing to win an iPod. Candy will be donated to military troops overseas.
Neely Dental Team
- 39 Dellsing Drive, Vandalia, Ohio 45377; 937-898-8798
- Children can bring their candy to the office from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1. They will receive a goody bag with items including a glow in the dark toothbrush. Candy will be donated to Operation Gratitude.
Kondas Dental Group
- 8708 Old Troy Pike, Huber Heights, Ohio 45424; 937-236-2800
- Children can bring in their candy from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1. They will receive $1 for each pound of candy, up to $5. They also will receive a light-up toothbrush for participating. Candy will be donated to Operation Gratitude.
North Spring Dental
- 4950 Middle Urbana Road, Springfield, Ohio 45503; 937-399-3800
- Children can bring their candy to this office from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2. They will receive $1 for each pound of candy. Candy will be donated to Operation Gratitude. Call in advance to RSVP if you will be participating in this event.
German Orthodontics
- 3300 Kemp Road, Beavercreek, Ohio 45431; 937-426-6860
- Children can bring their candy to the office from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1. They will receive $1 per pound of candy, up to $5. Candy will be donated to Operation Gratitude. If you have questions, call the office, or email tgerman@germanorthodontics.com.
HealthPark Dentistry
- 110 S. Tippecanoe Drive, Tipp City, Ohio 45371; 937-667-2417
- Children can bring their candy to the office Wednesday, Oct. 31, through Sunday, Nov. 11. The office is open 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. Children will receive $1 per pound of candy. Candy will be sent to active military troops.
Trick-or-treating safety reminders
Costume safety
- "Add reflective tape to costumes and trick or treat bags."
- "Use flame-resistant costumes."
- "Use face makeup instead of masks, which can cover their (children's) eyes and make it hard to see."
Safety while out and about
- "Make sure trick-or-treaters have a flashlight."
- "Visit only the homes that have a porch light on. Accept treats at the door. Never go inside."
- "Walk only on the sidewalks, not in the street. If no sidewalk is available, walk at the edge of the roadway, facing traffic."
- "Look both ways before crossing the street, and cross only at the corner."
- "Don't cut across yards or use alleys. Don't cross between parked cars."
- "Be cautious around strange animals, especially dogs."
Greeting trick-or-treaters
- "Make sure the outdoor lights are on."
- "Sweep leaves from sidewalks and steps."
- "Clear the porch or front yard of any obstacles that a child could trip over."
- "Restrain pets."
- "Use a glow stick instead of a candle in jack-o'-lanterns to avoid a fire hazard."
*Source: American Red Cross
Halloween food safety tips
- "Don't eat candy until it has been inspected at home."
- "Tell children not to accept or eat anything that isn't commercially wrapped."
- "Parents of very young children should remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys."
- "Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious."
*Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
How to stay warm while trick-or-treating
Cold temperatures and precipitation are in the weather forecast this week, according to Storm Center 7.
The high for Tuesday is 42 degrees, with a low of 34 degrees. Tuesday’s weather will be windy and chilly, and rain, mixing with wet snow, is expected in the morning.
On Wednesday, the high will be 44 degrees, with a low of 34 degrees. The weather is expected to be cloudy and windy with some scattered showers.
Storm Center 7 Meteorologist Rich Wirdzek offered these tips to help trick-or-treaters stay warm.
- Dress in layers under your costume. Remove layers as needed.
- Remember to wear gloves and some type of hat.
- Wear boots or other shoes that will insulate the feet.
Halloween presents a good opportunity for parents to discuss healthy eating habits with their children, according to experts.
“The Halloween season is a great time for parents to teach eating in moderation, and all food can fit into a healthy eating lifestyle,” said Becky Gonter-Dray, a pediatric dietitian at Dayton Children’s Medical Center.
Children should learn to eat candy, along with other food rich in sugar and fat, in moderation, said Gonter-Dray, who is board certified as a specialist in pediatric nutrition.
“Eating too much candy can possibly lead to a stomach ache, and long-term possibly (leads) to poor oral health,” she said.
As Halloween approaches, we asked Gonter-Dray to offer parents and children advice for avoiding temptation this Halloween season.
- "Consider handing out fun, non-food Halloween treats: play dough, plastic spider rings, pencils, mini-note pads, stickers and erasers."
- "Modify the food Halloween treats you may hand out. Think individual packets: microwave popcorn, pretzels, trail mix, animal crackers, whole wheat and cheese crackers, sugar free pudding cups, mini (boxes) of raisins and sugar free gum. Switch from large candy bars to snack-sized ones."
- "Eat a healthy snack or dinner before heading out for trick-or-treating. The children need their energy for the night ahead."
- "Trick or treat for the first hour. Participate in a family fun Halloween activity for the second hour." For example, bob for apples or play flashlight tag, Gonter-Dray said.
- "Review the treats gathered before eating any. Allow the children to eat a couple pieces of candy that evening, and then, practice balance and moderation with one to three pieces a day thereafter."
- "Remind the children that their trick-or-treating is great exercise, too. Continue family active outings in your neighborhoods or area's parks."
- "Recycle your candy. Hold back some for later in the year, incorporate candy into artwork and freeze the chocolate."
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