Dentist offers cash to curb kids' candy

If parental pleas to limit candy intake fall on deaf ears, the incentive of cold hard cash may make some kids give up some of their Halloween stash.

Spencer Bailey, orthodontist with Bailey Orthodontics in Surprise, will be paying $2 per pound for Halloween candy.
He'll limit it to five pounds per child, and the first 200 people who arrive from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday at his office, 14997 W. Bell Road, Suite 150 in Surprise.

All relinquished candy will be donated to Luke Air Force Base to be distributed to troops overseas.

"We tend to see kids go out and eat sticky, chewy candy," Bailey said. "They can't resist it."

The week following Halloween is a busy time for orthodontists.

"They eat a lot of (candy) that night and there is more bracket breakage the following week," Bailey said.

Treats to be avoided for those wearing braces include things that are hard and crunchy or sticky - caramel, nuts, jelly beans, taffy and lollipops.

Bailey said he encourages his patients to limit their candy consumption anyway, because of the increased risk of developing cavities.

"They can have a few things in moderation, such as Reese's, soft chocolates and things that are soft," Bailey said. "But we do require that if they eat that they need to brush their teeth."

For information, call 623-977-0707.

Joy Slagowski may be reached at 623-876-2514, or jslagowski@yourwestvalley.com.