Candy is dandy, but kids could get cash for those treats.

For the fifth year, Dr. Andrew Lunn is sponsoring the Great Halloween Candy Buy-Back at his office, 1606 Gunbarrel Road.

Children or their parents may bring their Halloween loot to the dentist's office on Gunbarrel Road Nov. 2-6. The staff will weigh it, then pay a $1 per pound to buy it from the child. For every dollar a child receives, Dr. Lunn will make a matching donation to United Way of Greater Chattanooga. At week's end, the collected candy will be donated to a local military recruiter to be sent to overseas troops.

"I enjoy candy as much as the kids, but you've got to tolerate it in moderation," Dr. Lunn said. "Don't keep it around the house. It's fine to eat some for a couple of nights following Halloween, but let children pick out their favorites then either toss the rest or bring it here to send to the troops."

Dr. Lunn said the effects of too much candy combined with too little brushing begin to show up six to nine months after Halloween. He advised parents that the way to avoid the expense of cavities is by making sure kids' teeth are brushed and clean before they go to bed.

"The biggest cause of plaque and decay is not having teeth clean before going to bed or going a 24-hour period or more without brushing," he said.

For more information, check the Web site chattanooogadentist.com.