10/23/08

Donate Halloween treats for dental health and a good cause

For parents, there may be nothing scarier than the post-Halloween sugar “buzz” their kids experience. If those youngsters also sport braces or other orthodontic appliances, a rash of injuries to expensive equipment and precious teeth may also be a frightening consequence.

Dr. Jason Bourne, a local orthodontist with offices in Lake Stevens and Marysville, is on a mission to reduce the effects of Halloween candy on his patients by offering an annual “buy-back” program. Now in its fifth year, the program is designed to reward children for good dental practices while supporting community resources.

Children who bring in their excess treats receive $2 cash per pound, while an additional $2 per pound is donated to local Boys and Girls Clubs and the YMCA. The candy is then sent to troops serving in Iraq.

Last year Bourne Orthodontics collected over 700 pounds of Halloween candy, resulting in a $1400 donation to local kid-focused organizations.

Not all candy is off-limits to orthodontic patients, according to Dr. Bourne. Plain chocolate bars and chocolate-covered peanut butter cups are not harmful to braces, but patients should be reminded to brush and floss thoroughly after eating treats high in sugar.

Children who wear braces should avoid caramel and taffy, hard candy, bubble gum, pretzels, peanuts, taco chips and unpopped popcorn kernels.

“Unfortunately, the days immediately following Halloween are usually an orthodontist’s busiest time of year,” said Dr. Bourne.

Bourne Orthodontic offices will accept Halloween candy during normal business hours November 4, 6 and 12 at the Lake Stevens office, 9633 Market Place #104, and on November 3, 5, 11 and 13 at the Marysville office, 815 State Ave. #3. For more information, call (360) 659-0211 or visit www.bourneorthodontics.com.

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