CAN DO is a multidisciplinary, multi-project research center designed around a community-based approach for the purpose of promoting the idea that oral health is the gateway to overall health and well-being.
CAN DO's primary focus is preventing tooth decay or early childhood caries (ECC) in young children. CAN DO also proposes to eliminate health disparities among low-income individuals and communities through the promulgation of sound research, evidence-based practices, and policy changes aimed at improving the health and well-being of the general public.
In 2000, United States Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher issued a report which found that oral health is essential to one's general health and well-being. Among the recommendations proposed to help Americans achieve better oral and overall health was the elimination of health disparities.The National Institutes of Health (NIH) first defined health disparities in 1999 as "differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups in the United States". Since then, many scientific studies and much research aimed at reducing health disparities have been conducted.This is where the Center to Address Disparities in Oral Health or CAN DO comes in.
Our Research Mission:
• To identify cultural, environmental, workforce, behavioral, and biologic factors associated with health disparities among ethnic/racial groups in the very diverse California environment;
• To enhance our ability to target children likely to be at risk for dental caries;
• To provide successful interdisciplinary interventions to prevent disease and reduce oral health disparities