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TOOTH
FAIRY
 DENTAL
LOSS
What's Under The Pillow
Is the Tooth Fairy an economic prognosticator or
just penurious these days? For the 6- to 10-year-old set, losing a tooth
this year is less rewarding than it was in 2006, according to the latest
poll conducted by Securian Dental, a corporate health plan provider. While
the gifts range from 25 cents to $20, the survey of nearly 1,000 Securian
customers found, the average under-the-pillow payout is just $1.71, down 15%
from last year—17%, adjusted for inflation. Indeed, calculated in real
terms, the amount is the lowest since 2000.
The 2007 number is puzzling, says Marty Weiland, an operations analyst for
Securian, because the average "usually reflects" the health of the
economy, which has been chugging along. "Maybe the Tooth Fairy didn't
invest as well as the general public," he says.
By Dan Macsai BUSINESS
WEEK 7 May 2007
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