Utah ? A dentist has added a new dimension to the childhood tradition of trading Halloween candy: He’s paying the kids for it.

Dr. Terry Preece paid children $1 for every pound they brought in Thursday.

He took in 600 pounds at $2 a pound in 2005, the first year he tried it, he said. Overwhelmed with the response, and a few bucks poorer, he cut the bounty to $1 per pound in 2006.

“We want to make sure the kids don’t eat the candy and get cavities and get hyper and restless in school,” he said. “If they could snack on fruits and vegetables and cheese – those are sure better for them.”

The candy will be used to make Christmas decorations that are part of a hospital fundraiser, Preece said.