Making Halloween good for childhood dental heath

Emily Southwood For a 3rd consecutive year, Dr. Nguyen’s dental clinic in Chateauguay will hold their popular Halloween candy buy-back event. The clinic’s aim is to educate kids about the importance of good oral health habits, which contrary to what we often think about Halloween, is a great time of the year to encourage positive habits. On Wednesday, November 1st between 3:30 pm and 7 pm, parents are invited to stop by the clinic with their children. The Centre de santé dentaire Dr. Thu Nguyen team will exchange $ 1 for every 1 lb of candy that will be brought (up to a maximum of 10 lbs). This event has become popular in the area attracting more than 70 participants last year, up from 60 in 2016. While parents know that Halloween candy is loaded with sugar, and not so great for us, the question is always what do we do with it all (other than eat it ourselves when the kids go to bed)? Some tips for parents include making sure teeth get thoroughly brushed and flossed after the big event, and having a plan for Halloween candy – how much can be consumed at a time and whether to keep it all or exchange it for another type of reward. The candy buy-back event provides an opportunity for parents and kids to put their plans into action. For over ten years the clinic has been a favourite for kids who are nervous in the dental chair. McGill graduate Dr. Nguyen decided to hold a buyback for excessive Halloween candy after observing the popularity of the tradition in the United States and Western Canada. “We don't want to take away the fun from the kids having collected all those candies,” explains Dr. Nguyen. “The goal of this event is to create an opportunity to educate kids about the consequences of sugar over-consumption and to learn about good oral hygiene habits in a friendly and fun manner.” The event will take place at Centre de santé dentaire Dr. Thu Nguyen, 185 St-Jean-Baptiste, Châteauguay. For more information visit: www.drethunguyen.com/en