Community Corner

Kool Smiles in Lilburn Collecting Halloween Candy for Troops

Now in its second year, Operation Troop Treats collects candy that will be sent to soldiers serving overseas via Operation Gratitude.

Kool Smiles, a dental care firm with several metro Atlanta locations, including Lilburn, bringing back its Operation Troop Treats program Nov. 1.

Now in its second year, Operation Troop Treats collects candy that will be sent to soldiers serving overseas via Operation Gratitude.

The kids who donate sweets give their teeth a break from munching all that Halloween candy receive a toy in exchange.

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Last year, Kool Smiles collected more than a ton of candy from metro Atlanta area kids.

“An overload of treats can do some damage on kids’ teeth,” Kool Smiles Managing Dental Director, Dr. Diane Earle, said in a statement.

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“Around Halloween, children are consuming more candy and with this increased frequency of sugary and sticky candies, many kids are increasing their risk of getting cavities or making existing oral health problems worse."

The program is a win-win, she said, because it raises awareness of good dental hygiene, encourages parents and children to reduce the amount of sugar they take in, and brightens up soldiers' spirits.

The troops also will receive dental kits and oral health guides for the care of their teeth.

The Atlanta area Kool Smiles offices are participating from Friday, Nov. 1 to Wednesday, Nov. 6 during open office hours. Every child that comes in can receive one toy for every 25 pieces of unopened candy in its original intended packaging. The program is open to everyone, regardless of whether they are a Kool Smiles patient. There is a limit of three toys per child and toys will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. Kool Smiles offices are located at the following addresses:

  • Decatur: 1756 Candler Rd.
  • Chamblee/Buford Hwy: 4054 Buford Hwy. NE
  • Smyrna: 2900 S. Cobb Dr.
  • Forest Park: 4458 Jonesboro Rd.
  • Lilburn: 4030 Lawrenceville Hwy.
  • College Park: 5495 Old National Hwy.

While brushing twice daily and getting regular dental checkups is important for people of all ages, Halloween is a good time for parents to pay close attention to their children’s dental health. Good oral care can not only prevent complex and expensive procedures but contribute to a child’s overall health and well-being; poor oral health can contribute to significant health issues such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes as children grow older.

For more information on the program, including the nearest Kool Smiles location, please visit http://www.mykoolsmiles.com/trooptreats.

About Kool Smiles

Kool Smiles is dedicated to creating a world of happy, healthy smiles. As a leading dental health provider, Kool Smiles' mission is to improve lives by providing high quality dental care in a fun, compassionate environment. Kool Smiles dentists are proud to offer care to kids and adults with almost any insurance plan, including State Children's Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP), Medicaid and Tricare. Kool Smiles also provides oral health education programs through partnerships with community schools and organizations. For more information, please visit www.mykoolsmiles.com.

About Operation Gratitude

Operation Gratitude annually sends 100,000+ care packages filled with snacks, entertainment items and personal letters of appreciation addressed to individually named U.S. Service Members deployed in hostile regions, to their children left behind, and to Veterans, Emergency First Responders and Wounded Warriors. Operation Gratitude’s mission is to lift morale, bring a smile to a service member's face and express to our Armed Forces the appreciation and support of the American people. Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude volunteers have shipped more than 980,000 packages to American Military members.


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