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EAST BRUNSWICK n Dentist Steven Susskind wants to fight tooth decay and juvenile diabetes while showing concern for U.S. soldiers serving overseas.
That’s why this year, he wants to use Halloween candy to benefit the East Brunswick-based Mid-Jersey Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and U.S. troops abroad while promoting good dental health.
Halloween means collecting lots of candy. And for many children, that translates into tooth damage. For the last two years, Dr. Susskind fought back by buying back children’s Halloween candy and sending it to U.S. soldiers overseas.
In 2010, Susskind Dental, Susskind’s East Brunswick dental office collected more than 450 pounds of candy.
“I can’t believe all the candy we collected,” said Dr. Susskind of Susskind Dental. “It was in boxes and bags all around our hallway. Everyone was very generous. And it was a lot of fun for everyone here and all the children and their parents.”
A few veterans came by with bags of candy and refused to take cash for it.
“One gentleman came in and saluted me,” Dr. Susskind said. “And he waited until I saluted him back. He said we were doing a great thing. Then he pulled out a $10 bill to help our efforts.”
This year, Dr. Susskind wants to do more.
This year, he wants children to help the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, which promotes diabetes research.
With type 1 diabetes, the pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables us to get energy from food. With type 2 diabetes, the body still produces insulin but is unable to use it effectively.
For every pound of candy brought in, the dentist will buy back the Halloween candy for $1. Plus Dr. Susskind will donate $1 in that child’s name to the East Brunswick-based Mid-Jersey Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The candy will be donated to U.S. soldiers overseas through Operation Shoebox of New Jersey. There is a five-pound limit per person.
The candy buy back donation program will be held Thursday, Nov. 3 (from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.) and Friday, Nov. 4 (from 9 a.m. to noon). Dr. Susskind’s office, Susskind Dental, is located at 469 Cranbury Rd., East Brunswick.
“This is great for everyone,” Dr. Susskind said. “The children learn the importance of giving. They are giving up something they like for something very important n fighting juvenile diabetes and doing something nice for people protecting our values and liberties. Juvenile diabetes research benefits. The soldiers benefit. And along the way, I’ll pass along some tips for good dental health.”
Dr. Susskind, a dentist, since 1992, said he feels good about the program because it persuades children to give away some of the mounds of candy they collect when they trick or treat.
“We save teeth. Sugar destroys them,” he said. “Sugar in your mouth produces a reaction that promotes tooth decay. This program encourages good dental health and promotes charity. The children learn and juvenile diabetes research and soldiers will benefit.”
Although Dr. Susskind warns about the excesses of Halloween and sugar, he wants children n including his own n to know he’s not against candy.
“Candy is OK n in moderation,” Dr. Susskind said. “I see nothing wrong if you taste some of the candy you collect on Halloween. But the emphasis should be on ‘taste’ and ‘some.’
“But please do a favor for me and your teeth: After you finish, brush your teeth to try to clean off the sugar.”
The office of East Brunswick Dentist Steven Susskind (l-r Jenni, Stacey, Faryal, Joyce and the dentist), collected more than 450 pounds of Halloween candy during the candy buyback program in 2010. The candy was sent to U.S. soldiers overseas. This year the office hopes to buy back more candy on Nov. 3 and 4.
Photo by The Susskind Dental Office
Dr. Steven Susskind DMD
469 Cranbury Road
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
732-254-9111
