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Every year in October, children across the country anticipate Halloween night. Not only is the last day of this month centered around getting candy, this day allows people of all ages to dress up and be whoever or whatever they want. Despite the joys of Halloween, the days after are usually filled with tummy aches and dentist appointments as children start to consume their sweets. Due to the fact that candy is bad for children's teeth and waistlines, dentist offices through the United States have started buy back programs. Even though these programs might differ from one another, their main goal is the same: limit candy consumption.

One of the most popular programs that dentist offices participate in is the Cash for Candy program. Cash for Candy, the Halloween candy buy back program, works with Operation Gratitude. Dentist offices that sign up pay children one dollar per pound of unwrapped candy. The candy is then sent to troops aboard. Three dentist offices in Staten Island, NY have already agree to host buy back events in their facilities. Some offices in Totowa, NJ and nearby towns have also stated that they will buy children's candy. Some offices have even modified the rewards system. One office is using a raffle system with an iPad as the coveted prize. Another office is offering a gift certificate on top of the dollar per pound system worth $50 for the child who brings in the heaviest bag of candy. The children who place second and third will received a $25 gift certificate each.

Operation Gratitude is not the only program that sends candy to troops. A dentist office in Doylestown, PA has agreed to also pay children one dollar per pound of unopened candy. Robert Risenberger's Pediatric Dentist office will send the candy to military personnel through Food4Troops. According to the office's staff, this program has been going on for three years. Each year, they receive around 300 to 500 pounds of candy.

In the city of St. Louis, MI, the Delta Dental Health Theatre has created its own way of celebrating the day after Halloween. The theatre will host the annual Great Candy Exchange on November 1. The free event is similar to a carnival where there will be live shows, face paintings, balloon art, a photo booth, four inflatables and a costume contest. At the event, children are encouraged to exchange one pound of candy for one raffle ticket. Other ways to get raffle tickets include donating $5, unopened children's socks, underwear and personal hygiene items. These donations will be given to the Little Bit Foundation. There will be several prizes, which include an Xbox One Day One Edition with game that is worth up to $550.

These cities and towns are not the only places where a buy back program has become a part of Halloween. Places throughout the country hope that these programs will continue to flourish and encourage young children to give back by giving up their candy.