Bellevue dentist offers cash for trick-or-treat candy

Dr. Wisanu Charoenkul, a dentist who operates Lake Hills Orthodontics, is looking for some candy. He's willing to pay to get his hands on it - and away from trick-or-treaters.

"I will give kids $1 per pound of candy that they bring in," Charoenkul said. "This allows the kids to have all the fun of trick-or-treating, but without having to consume all the candy."

Charoenkul added that the offer helps parents get the candy out of their homes, but also teaches kids about giving to others.

As a parents of two young kids, Dr. Charoenkul and Dr. Stephanie Su enjoy Halloween with their kids, but they hate the bulk of candy that lingered for months after Halloween and other candy filled holidays like Valentine’s day. As an orthodontist and Pediatric dentist respectively, Dr. Charoenkul and Dr. Su know say chewy, sticky candies can lead to dental cavities and, when accompanied with poor nutritional habits, childhood obesity.

Dr.Charoenkul said he also often finds that the breakage of orthodontic appliances increases immediately after Halloween, which results in prolonged treatment times.

Dr.Charoenkul plans to talk to children in several local schools to remind them of the importance of good oral hygiene and nutritional choices. Then, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 3 and 4 at his Bellevue office on 148th Ave SE in Lake Hills, he also will be sponsoring a candy buy back program to help rid households of the excess candy collected after Halloween.

"This also serves as a fun way to raise funds for a charity," Dr. Charoenkul added.

In addition to paying kids $1 per pound of candy they bring in, he also will match a donation per pound of candy collected to the Bellevue Boys & Girls Club of Bellevue.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.