by LAUREN NORTHINGTON

Richmond area Kool Smiles dental offices are holding their 5th Annual “Operation Troop Treats” program to give youngsters’ teeth a post-Halloween break and give U.S. troops overseas a sweet reminder of home.

Between Friday, Oct. 28, and Saturday, Nov. 5, children and families can go to three area Kool Smiles dental offices and swap some of their Halloween candy for toys.

The donated candy will be sent in 200 care packages, along with dental kits and other goodies, to members of the Armed Services serving abroad.

“ ‘Operation Troop Treats’ is our way of encouraging children and parents to maintain healthy dental habits this Halloween, while also bringing a little bit of holiday joy to U.S. service members deployed overseas who are not able to celebrate with family here at home,” said Dr. Ashley Nichols, Kool Smiles managing dental director.

Children can receive one toy for every 25 pieces of unopened candy in its original packaging, with a limit of three toys per child.

Toys are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Families and children do not have to be Kool Smiles patients to participate.

Locations for the candy swap:

• Kool Smiles Southside Plaza, 4722 N. Southside Plaza St., in South Richmond.

• Kool Smiles Mechanicsville, 3824 Mechanicsville Turnpike.

• Kool Smiles Colonial Heights, 400-C Southpark Blvd., Colonial Heights.