'Got Candy?' Dentist buys Halloween treats to send to soldiers
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

When it comes down to it, who really needs all the candy that will be collected from trick-or-treating?

Youths may think its great, plopping a heaping sack of sugary snacks on the table, but its not great for their teeth.

In an attempt to reduce the amount of candy being devoured, one Amherst dental office is buying the candy - $1 a pound.

"This is an opportunity to get rid of some of the candy, which will be donated to troops in Iraq," Christy Alexander of Winning Smiles Pediatric Dentistry said.

Dr. Michael Foley started the buy-back program last year. In addition to collecting cash, the youths who sell back the most candy will win the top three prizes, one of which is an i-Pod.

"There is a lot of incentive for the kids to bring in the candy. And its about awareness, they don't need to be eating all that candy ... and who doesn't like money?" Alexander said.

Winning Smiles will also be donating a $1 to the Buffalo City Mission for every pound brought in.

Alexander said, a large bag of Halloween candy is approximately 3-5 pounds. And much of what's collected is usually wasted, she added. From throwing out the unfavored snacks, to taking them to work, the candy can often be wasted.

And the candy that is being eaten can do havoc on a young child's teeth. Alexander said the sticky, chewy candies can be the worst because they become stuck between teeth, and can lead to cavities.

The buy back program begins Thursday, Nov. 1, the day after Halloween. Candy must be taken to the office, 1525 Amherst Manor Drive, where it will be weighed. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The last day candy will be accepted is Monday, Nov. 19.

For information, call 250-2066.

Last year the office donated a dollar towards buying turkeys at St. Luke's Missionary Center for Thanksgiving. The candy was also donated.