Boston-Area Dentists Are Buying Back Kids’ Halloween Candy

Halloween candy photo by Andree Chinn on Flickr/Creative Commons

Thanks to Halloween Candy Buyback (HCBB), there’s a new kind of tooth fairy.

The program was founded by a Wisconsin dentist in 2005, and encourages participating dental offices to trade kids $1 for every pound of Halloween candy they agree to part with. But in addition to sparing kids’ teeth (and their parents’ waistlines), HCBB partners with Operation Gratitude to send the commandeered candy—and toothbrushes—to troops serving overseas. It’s philanthropy, oral hygiene, and extra spending money, all in one.

Last year, the Halloween candy donation initiative bought back more than 401,000 pounds of confections. This year, in addition to the candy program, HBCC is trying to donate 100,000 toothbrushes to the troops, with collection programs running at some participating offices.

Trying to get rid of your trick-or-treating haul? Participating Boston-area offices include A. Gerry Montillo and Smile Associates, both in Brookline; Quincy Center Dental Associates; All Pro Dental in Revere; South Shore Smiles in Braintree; Wayland Dental; Future of Dentistry in Wakefield; The Classic Smile in Medford; and Papageorgiou Dental Associates in Natick.

To search for an office in your town, visit halloweencandybuyback.com. And hurry—all candy must be shipped by mid-November.