Dental Public Health Residency (DPHR) Program Frequently Asked Questions
Residency Overview
Dental public health is the science and art of preventing and controlling oral diseases and promoting oral health through organized community efforts. It is a form of dental practice that serves a community rather than an individual as the patient. It is concerned with oral health education of the public, applied dental research, the administration of group dental care programs, and the prevention and control of oral diseases at the community level.
Dental public health residents work on a variety of research projects that are typically guided by the residents’ professional interests and the mission of CDC’s Division of Oral Health. With the support of the Division’s epidemiology, statistical, and policy personnel, Residents have the opportunity to publish their research project in a scientific journal. Examples of research projects completed by Residents include:
- Untreated Caries Among US Working-Aged Adults and Association with Reporting Need for Dental Care.
- Examining Trends of Untreated Dental Caries and Dental Sealant Utilization among Mexican-American Children and Adolescents.
- Prevalence of and Changes in Tooth Loss Among Adults >50 Years with Selected Chronic Conditions – United States, 1999–2004 and 2011–2016.
- Trends and Disparities in Tooth Loss and Untreated Tooth Decay among Adults 65 years and older, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2004 and 2011–2016.
The DPHR Program provides a pathway for a wide range of careers. Many program graduates choose careers in health settings, where they work with public health and dental colleagues in federal, state, or local health agencies; research or academic institutions; voluntary organizations; or health care delivery or reimbursement systems.
- CDC’s Program is the only one-year dental public health residency training program offered by a federal agency.
- After completing the program, Residents are prepared and eligible to take their Dental Public Health certification examinations offered through the American Board of Dental Public Health (ABDPH).
- CDC’s Program is one of the few dental public health residencies in which Residents receive a stipend.
- Residents build an individualized training plan that aligns with their interests and experience while also contributing to CDC’s strategic objectives.
- Residents have the opportunity to publish their research projects, conduct field experience, and work alongside a team of subject matter experts at the nation’s leading public health agency.
Application Requirements
No. Completion of graduate training in public health is a requirement that cannot be waived, per the American Association of Public Health Dentistry.
No. This is a residency training for dentists who plan to become dental public health specialists.
If you are currently enrolled in an MPH program, you may apply only if you will graduate by December 2023.
There is no minimum GPA, but applicants accepted into the program typically have a GPA of 3.5 or higher for their MPH degree. If you are still enrolled in your MPH program at the time of application, your current GPA will be requested within the application.
The five required courses for the MPH or comparable degree are biostatistics, epidemiology, health care policy and management, environmental health, and behavioral sciences.
No. Applicants may choose between a full-time (12 month) or part-time (24 month) residency.
Application Process
The application cycle is open August-September each year.
See the Applying to DPHR page for detailed application instructions. Applicants must email all completed application materials in a zip file to DPHResidency@cdc.gov. Refer to the Zip File Instructions for detailed directions. Only complete applications received by the deadline will be reviewed for consideration.
Yes. Three letters of recommendation are also required to support your application. Please note that the letters of recommendation must be submitted by your references directly to the program (not by you).
Letters of recommendation must be:
- Submitted by professors or work supervisors who can describe academic or professional accomplishments. References cannot be relatives of applicant.
- Written in English.
- On the reference’s letterhead.
- Signed by the reference and dated.
- Sent as an attachment from the reference’s email account.
- Sent to DPHResidency@cdc.govby the application deadline.
Acceptance into the CDC DPHR Program is extremely competitive. We accept two or three Residents each year.
In addition to strong academic training and dental experience, successful applicants typically have interests and experience working with public health and dental stakeholders to improve oral health for populations. Residents should be interested in developing skills in the methods of scientific inquiry and research, particularly in the areas of oral health epidemiology and population-based efforts to prevent oral diseases and promote oral health. Details should be highlighted within the Letter of Intent and Experience sections of the application. Information provided will be assessed based on how well each applicant is able to articulate their goals and be concise without grammatical errors. Please note that previous research experience is ideal, although not required.
International Applicants
Yes, you may apply. International applicants must:
- Have their dental transcripts and degrees evaluated by a credentialing organization in the United States. Please note that a course-by-course evaluation is needed.
- Submit their TOEFL scores (scores older than two years are acceptable).
No. At the time of submitting your application, your unofficial, previously received or expired evaluations are sufficient. The same applies for transcripts. If accepted into the residency program, you will be asked to provide official evaluations and transcripts, which you may need to pay for.
No. To be eligible for this residency program and the American Board of Dental Public Health (ABDPH) examination, you must receive a Master of Public Health (MPH) or comparable degree from a US institution accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education.
No.
In the United States, licensure requirements vary from state to state. Contact the board of dentistry in the state of your interest for current information about licensure requirements and laws.
No.