The candy count after trick-or-treating normally begins the day following Halloween. Instead of looking at your hoard of leftover treats until Thanksgiving, you can turn that candy stash into cash. Dentists across the country will collect the candies, and some will pay for it.
- Find a nearby event: Search the Treats for Troops drop-off locations
- Check local dentists: Look for dental offices hosting candy buyback events.
- Confirm event details: Check drop-off times, locations and payment offers before visiting.
- Prepare the candy: Remove opened, melted or partially eaten sweets before taking them in.
Where Families Can Trade Halloween Candy for Cash in 2026
Families can check participating dental offices for Halloween candy buyback events after Oct. 31. Payment rates, dates and eligibility requirements vary by location, so confirm the details before visiting.
- Reston, Virginia: Tisseront Orthodontics is scheduled to hold its annual candy buyback on Nov. 2, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., at 11720 Plaza America Drive, Suite 110. Families should check the practice’s event announcement for payment and candy acceptance details.
- West Virginia: Participating Wilson Martino Dental, The Smile Defenders and TLC Dental offices have advertised candy collection events. Families should check with their local office for dates, payment rates and candy requirements.
- Other locations: Families can search the Halloween Candy Buyback website by ZIP code to find participating dental practices near them. Local offices may also advertise events independently.
The Program Behind the Offers
Most of these events trace back to Halloween Candy Buyback. The program started in 2005. Today the program involves hundreds of dentists from across the country. These dentists gather candy for Operation Gratitude; this sends the care packages to American troops overseas.
Participants will receive $1 for candy they bring in, and the dental practice will also donate $1 to Children’s National. Participants can choose to make their own payment to the hospital as well.
For every pound of candy donated, participants will receive one raffle ticket, with a limit of 25 tickets per person. The grand prize listed on the event flyer is a pair of Meta Adventurer glasses.
Why Dentists Trade Leftover Halloween Candy for Cash?
The candy buyback program in Halloween is partly a public service and partly a dental pitch.
Dentists say that eating too much candy can harm children’s teeth, cause cavities and increase the risk of weight gain.
Hard candy can chip or break teeth, while sticky sweets may damage braces. Offering kids money for some of their candy can make it easier to limit their sugar intake and avoid damage to their teeth.
Halloween candy buyback events give families a simple way to clear out extra sweets while helping a good cause. Before heading to a local dentist, check the event details and let kids pick a few favorite treats to keep.
