Kids urged to trade in Halloween candy for charity

While the world is lauding the Chicago-based dentist who is offering cash for candy in a unique Halloween deal to save young children from dental concerns, a clinic in Dubai is doing its own bit with its 'Bring a Smile to Someone Else's Face' campaign.

GP Dentist Dr Seema Vohra, has launched the programme that allows children to trade in their Halloween candy for a prize, with the candy itself being donated to orphanages within in the UAE.

Speaking exclusively to Emirates 24|7, Dr Vohra said: "The concept behind this is two-fold: one, that children these days already have an excess of everything and need to learn the basic values of having things within limits and sharing; and the other is that there are those unprivileged ones who crave such simple gifts."

Dr Vohra, who operates out of Dr Paul's Dental Care Clinic, says that people may argue that isn't such a campaign simply transferring one child's dental problems on to another, but she disagrees such is the case.

"We will donate the candy to the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children and the local churches, who have access to kids that don't enjoy those basic luxuries that we take for granted, such as candy during Halloween, and this initiative could bring a smile to their faces," she says.

The programme kicked off on Monday and will run until November 3, with children requested to come in with their respective bags of candy, which will be weighed and depending on the amount, will be allowed to trade ior a toy and a dental care kit.

Says Dr Vohra: "The dental care kit includes a toothbrush, a toothpaste and a fun, interactive chart that prompts them to place stickers on them if they successfully complete their dental routine over a given time period.

"Those who return to us with a completed chart, monitored by their parents, will win a prize for their hard work and efforts."

The clinic is working with local schools to highlight the growing concerns of dental care amongst children in the UAE, which Dr Vohra says has reached alarming proportions.

"Parents today are neglecting their children's care due to their own stressful lives, giving them refined foods in excess that sees these youngsters develop cavities as early as age two," she says. "My own son had developed one when he was 2.5 years old.

"In our own little way, we hope such initiatives will raise awareness of these health issues and prompt parents to be more vigilant with their kids' daily diet regiment."

For those interested in trading in Halloween candy for the cause can call: 04 357 5783.

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