Lutz dentist offers after-Halloween candy buy back
This could be the sweetest deal for you and your kids. You know your children can't (and you won't let them) eat all the candy they want after Halloween. So Dr. Yen Nguyen of Creating Smiles Comprehensive Family and Cosmetic Dentistry in Lutz is offering to pay $1 for every pound of candy your kids bring to her office Tuesday, Nov. 3 from 3-6 p.m. There will also be raffle tickets given for prizes, such as gift certificates and iPods.
And not only will she give the kids cash for candy, but then she will package up the goodies and send them to U.S. troops stationed around the world through Operation Gratitude. Kids are encouraged to bring personal messages to the troops to include in the shipment.
"It’s a win-win situation for everybody involved,” says Dr. Nguyen. “People these days are paying more attention to childhood obesity but we need to draw that same attention to oral health as well and fighting cavities. Plus it’s a great way to share the Halloween spirit with those serving in the armed forces who could use a fond memory from home.” She adds that she's not trying to take the fun out of Halloween but just trying to get kids -- and their parents -- to not overeat the treats.
So take your candy to the good dentist at her office, 5306 Van Dyke Road, Lutz. Call (813) 963-1900 for more information.
Since my oldest son just lost his first molar and I certainly don't want him getting any cavities, I may take the good dentist up on her offer. But fLutz is kind of a haul for me. Any Pinellas dentists willing to offer the same deal?
-- Sherry Robinson
Sharon Kennedy Wynne has sunscreen in her blood. She may have been born in Buffalo but she got here as fast as she could, in time for kindergarten. She grew up in St. Petersburg, graduated from the University of Florida journalism school, and even got married at Sunken Gardens. She's one of the few adults we know who actually loves taking her kids to the beach. She has two sons and with 10 years of parenting under her belt, she's starting to feel a little less out of her league. She comes from a large family and loves to debate, so brace yourself when the hot topics come up.
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Sherry Robinson was born in the Sunshine State but she feels more comfortable inside a mall than outside at the beach -- thank goodness her husband is the outdoorsy type. He takes their two sons on night hikes, beach runs and bug hunts while Sherry does her best to take care of the homestead -- and find out what is new on the store shelves. A graduate of the University of South Florida in 19noneofyourbusiness, Sherry has been at the Times for nearly 20 years. And with nearly 10 years of parenting experience, Sherry is eager to offer up some great dish on raising kids and keeping your sanity.
Guest blogger Tracey Henry, a.k.a. Suburban Diva, is a frantic, slightly frazzled mother of four. She is a freelance humor writer and author which is the only thing that parenting four children ages 12-1 trains you for, except perhaps court jester and professional bull rider. She and her husband have lived all over the country, but settled in Florida eight years ago because the beachcombing is so much better here than on the banks of the Mississippi. Their family time includes a lot of sport -- both watching and playing -- and fun in the sun and surf. Catch her in Whoa, Momma! and on her site, 
Sherri Day and her husband welcomed their daughter into the world in early 2008. So far, she describes parenthood as exciting, exhausting and exhilarating. A self-described Southern belle with small-town values and big-city idealism, Sherri was born in rural Georgia. She received her bachelor's degree in journalism from Clark Atlanta University and her master's of journalism from the University of California at Berkeley. She is the Brandon bureau chief for the Times. Sherri moved to Tampa from Brooklyn four years ago.
Great idea! I like her attitude much better than Dr. Oz telling us that our kids will get swine flu because they eat Halloween candy. Boo humbug.
Posted by: Karen | October 31, 2009 at 11:29 PM
If you go to the website listed below and put in your zip code it will give you the dentists in your area that are participating. There are 3 offices in Pinellas county, 2 North County and 1 in St. Pete http://www.halloweencandybuyback.com
Posted by: Teresa | October 31, 2009 at 12:15 PM