WASHINGTON — If you end up with extra Halloween candy this year and want it banished from your home, there’s a way to recycle the candy and treat the troops at the same time.

It even includes incentive for your children to hand over some of their candy.

Operation Troop Treats is a candy exchange where kids can donate 25 pieces of unopened candy and get a new toy at Kool Smiles dental offices throughout the region.

The program is already underway and runs through Saturday, Nov. 4 during business hours at Kool Smiles dental offices.

This year is the 6th that Kool Smiles is holding this candy swap. But the program is first come, first served and there is a three toy limit.

Even if you’re not a Kool Smiles patient, the exchange is open to all children and families.

The candy will be sent to troops overseas as part of a care package. Those care packages are put together by volunteers with Operation Gratitude, a national nonprofit that sends thousands of care packages to U.S. service members deployed overseas.

Since 2012, Kool Smiles has collected over 12 tons of donated candy nationwide. Not only do Kool Smiles dentists send the donated treats, but they also provide dental supplies and the money to cover the shipment cost of the care packages.

Operation Troop Treats is a nationwide outreach program that’s designed to teach kids about dental health, especially during Halloween. The program is also about saying “thank you,” to service members for putting their lives on the line.

Kool Smiles is a network of dental offices with a mission of expanding access to quality dental care for children and families in underserved communities.