Dental Associates of CT Halloween Buy Back Results!

Despite Storm Albert that cancelled Halloween events throughout Connecticut, Dental Associates of CT was able to Buy Back 773 pounds of Halloween candy in the Greater Danbury and Trumbull areas during its 9^th Annual Halloween Candy Buy-Back on Nov. 8th, 2011.

 773 POUNDS OF CANDY COLLECTED IN ANNUAL HALLOWEEN CANDY BUY BACK PROGRAM THAT RAISES AWARENESS FOR GOOD DENTAL HYGIENE AND SUPPORTS THE TROOPS OVERSEAS.

Hundreds of kids came to the dental practice’s four offices in Danbury, Newtown, New Milford and Trumbull to sell their candy in the annual effort to raise awareness for good dental hygiene. They were paid $2 a pound from the tooth fairy, up to 10 pounds. In addition, the children were encouraged to write a letter to a serviceman overseas, as part of Operation Gratitude, a California-based organization that sends care packages to servicemen that include the Halloween buy-back candy. “Our offices were overflowing with candy, which is not something you usually see in a dentist’s office,” said Dr John Iwasaki, Pediatric Dentist. “People don’t realize the impact candy, especially gooey, chewy types have on teeth, especially if they’re not brushed immediately,” he said. “It’s also nice to participate in a program that brightens the day of our men and women serving in the military.”

Since starting this program in 2003, the Dental Associates of CT Tooth Fairy has bought back nearly 5 tons of candy. Parents brought their children to one of the offices, placed their bags of candy on the scale, and the tooth fairy paid them. “The children left the office without the unhealthy, cavity-causing candy, but instead with some crisp dollar bills and a positive experience from visiting the dentist’s office,” said Dr. Hemant Dhawan, Pediatric Dentist.

In addition to donating the candy to Operation Gratitude, Dental Associates of CT will give a portion of the candy to local charities like the Women’s Center of Greater Danbury and local food pantries. “After learning about our program we also had two schools participate by encouraging their students to donate their leftover candy. Combined these schools donated over 250 pounds to our efforts,” said Cindy Manning, Manager of Community Outreach, Marketing Public Relations.Both schools will receive a gift card to a local business supply store as a gift from Dental Associates of CT for choosing to minimize their intake of unnecessary sugar and supporting our campaign.