Dentist will trade cash for candy

Trick-or-treat for cash? Not exactly, but a Layton dentist plans to buy back the Halloween night loot from children to keep them healthy.

Terry Preece, dentist at Layton Hills Healthy Smile Center, is trading cash for trick-or-treating candy once again this year.

The buyback is not only intended to prevent cavities, but also to help reduce restlessness, hyperactivity and possible weight problems for today's youth.

"I think we accomplished our goal of keeping the kids away from the candy last year," Preece said. "We accumulated over 650 pounds of candy — that's 650 pounds of candy that wasn't consumed by kids in our community. I think that's a great accomplishment."

Kids from all over Davis County came to swap their sweets for cash. When asked what they were going to do with their money, the kids said they were saving up for computers, LDS Church missions, cars and special toys.

"I want to help the kids in our community any way possible, even if it means that I buy their treats and help them reach their goals," Preece said.

The office is buying back trick-or-treating candy at $1 per pound. So that everyone gets a chance to sell their candy, there will be a 10 pound limit per child.

Trick-or-treaters can go to Layton Hills Healthy Smile Center, 2152 North Hill Field Road, Suite 2, on Nov. 1 and 2 between 2 and 5 p.m. For more information call the center at 801-776-3300.

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E-mail: terickson@desnews.com