Dentists collecting candy for troops

Local dentists are making the children of Carson City a sweet offer.

Advanced Dentistry by Design will pay them $1 per pound of Halloween candy, up to five pounds, they bring in next month.

They'll walk away with a new toothbrush and less sugar to damage their teeth. And the candy will go to U.S. troops.

"It's a good deal for everybody," said Dr. Clint Euse. "It's fun for us, it's certainly better for their teeth, and the troops I'm sure will appreciate it."

The effort is part of Operation Gratitude, which organizes care packages to be shipped to American service members stationed in hostile environments.

The dentist office organized a similar drive last year and collected nearly 500 pounds of candy.

"It was great," Euse said. "And we're hopeful we'll get an even better response this year."

They will be collecting candy at the office, 403 Nye Lane, 3-6 p.m. Monday. They also will accept candy during regular business hours throughout the rest of the month.

When children drop by, Euse said, they will be invited to draw a picture or write a letter to the troops that will be included in the care packages.

Euse encouraged kids to keep as much candy as they wanted then donate the rest.

Although he suspects parents initiate participation in the program, the children seem willing to go along.

"The kids were actually really excited," he said. "They didn't seem sad to part with it.

"We're really looking forward to it."