CHICAGO, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- Some dentists are playing Tooth Fairy this Halloween by offering children money for their candy, not their teeth.
Oakbrook Terrace, Ill., dentist Mark Ligocki told the Chicago Tribune he will pay a dollar for every pound of sweets handed over by children he sees the day after Halloween.
The goodies will be shipped to U.S. soldiers through Operation Gratitude, which sends care packages to troops overseas.
"It's a way to give back to the community, and it's a way to keep sweets out of kids' mouths and keep obesity down in an indirect way," Ligocki said.
On the other hand, the dentist stocks Jawbreakers at his office.
"I'm a realistic parent," he said. "Kids are going to seek and find candy and eat it. We need to educate them about how to take care of their teeth."
Ligocki, whose grandmother worked for Mars Inc., maker of M&M's, Snickers and many other treats, has not totally sworn off candy either.
"I'm still a kid myself," he said.
