Dr. Wisanu Charoenkul, a dentist who operates Lake Hills Orthodontics in Bellevue, is looking for some candy – lots of it. And he’s willing to pay to get his hands on it – and away from trick-or-treaters.
The same holds true for four other area dentists.
“I will give kids $1 per pound of candy they bring in,” Charoenkul said, and he will contribute $1 as a matching charitable donation to the Bellevue Boys and Girls Club. “This allows kids to have all the fun of trick-or-treating, but without having to consume all the candy.”
Charoenkul said he often finds that the breakage of orthodontic appliances increases immediately after Halloween, which results in prolonged treatment time — the last thing most kids want.
The candy buy back event helps parents get extra candy out of their homes, but also teaches kids about giving to others. The donated candy will be used in care packages for U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“It really is a win-win scenario,” Charoenkul said.
This year the program has grown to include four other offices in the Bellevue/Redmond area in hopes of beating last year’s record of 425 lbs.
“As a service to orthodontic patients everywhere, we need to get this stuff off the streets to protect those braces!” jokes Charoenkul. The event is open to everyone in the community, not just patients.
To participate people can bring in candy from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov 1 or Tuesday, Nov. 2.
Participating dentists are:
Lake Hills Orthodontics, 14810 Lake Hills Blvd., Bellevue; Dr. Tokiko M. Poppe, 1515 116th Ave. NE, Suite 301, Bellevue; Dr. Elllie Tabaraie, 1855 156th Ave. NE, Suite 212, Bellevue; Dr. Jeff Malyon, 14858 Lake Hills Blvd., Suite C-1, Bellevue; and Redmond Kids Dentistry, 16650 NE 79th St., Suite 100, Redmond.
For more information about the program Lake Hills Orthodontics can be reached at 425-747-9210 or online at www.lakehillsortho.com
