Key points
- Applicants to CDC's Dental Public Health Residency (DPHR) Program must have both a dental degree (DDS or DMD) and a Master of Public Health (MPH or comparable degree).
- Applications must include all required materials sent in a single zip file during the open application period.
Dental Public Health Residency Program
2025–2026 Application Period
Why apply
The aim of the CDC Dental Public Health Residency Program (DPHR) is to produce skilled specialists in dental public health who can work collaboratively with their public health and dental colleagues in an array of health settings to achieve improved oral health for populations.
DPHR offers career opportunities in:
- Research settings
- Health agencies
- Voluntary organizations
- Health care delivery systems
- Health care reimbursement systems
Requirements
Before starting the residency program, residents must have the following:
- A dental degree (DDS or DMD) from a U.S. dental school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation or a Canadian school accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada.
- Applicants who are graduates of a school of dentistry outside the United States or Canada must be deemed to have equivalent education.
- Applicants who are graduates of a school of dentistry outside the United States or Canada must be deemed to have equivalent education.
- A Master of Public Health (MPH) or comparable degree from an institution in the United States accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Courses for the MPH or comparable degree must include biostatistics, epidemiology, health care policy and management, environmental health, and behavioral sciences.
- Courses for the MPH or comparable degree must include biostatistics, epidemiology, health care policy and management, environmental health, and behavioral sciences.
Before applying
Before applying, make sure that you either have access to or can obtain the following supporting documents:
- An updated resume.
- Copies of unofficial transcripts (if accepted, you will need to provide official transcripts).
- Three letters of recommendation to be sent directly to the program from the references.
How to apply
All application materials must be submitted as one complete package in a zip file.
Step 1: Complete and compile all required application materials.
Required documents:
- Form: Requirements Checklist and Application
- Resume
- Three letters of recommendation*
- Unofficial transcripts**
*Three letters of recommendation from references who have worked with the applicant in a professional or academic setting are required. The letters should be written in English on the reference's letterhead, signed and dated by the reference, and sent directly to the residency email address (DPHresidency@cdc.gov).
**A note about transcripts:
- Please include copies of unofficial transcripts from both dental school and graduate education in public health (even if you are currently enrolled).
- Transcripts must state your degree of study, courses taken, grades earned, and graduation date.
- Include a certified translation if the language is not English.
- Do not send high school transcripts or copies of National Board Examination scores.
- If you are accepted into the program, CDC must receive your official transcripts by January 31 of the residency year, or your acceptance will be withdrawn.
Additional items required if your dental degree was obtained outside the United States or Canada:
- A Course-by-Course Evaluation Report from a U.S. Credentialing Agency such as the ones listed below.
- TOEFL Results Report – The minimum acceptable total scores are:
- Computer Based Test (CBT): 250
- Internet Based Test (iBT): 100
- Paper Based Test (PBT): 600
- Computer Based Test (CBT): 250
Note: TOEFL results older than two years are acceptable.
American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)
One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 520
Washington, DC 20036
Telephone: 202-293-9161
Website: http://www.aacrao.org/
Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
Telephone: 414-289-3400
Website: http://www.ece.org
World Education Services (WES)
Bowling Green Station
P.O. Box 5087
New York, NY 10274-5087
Telephone: 212-966-6311
Website: http://www.wes.org
Step 2: Package your application materials into a single zip file.
Applicants must save all the completed application materials in one zip file named:
"[First Name_Last Name] [Application Year]"
Refer to the zip file Instructions for step-by-step instructions on how to save your materials as a zip file.
Step 3: Email your completed zip file.
Attach the completed zip file to an email and send it to DPHresidency@cdc.gov with the following information:
- Zip file Name: "[First Name_Last Name] [Application Year]"
- Email Subject Line: "[First Name_Last Name] [Application Year]"
You will receive a confirmation email when your materials have been received.
Re-applicants must submit the following materials as one complete package in a zip file
- Updated Requirements Checklist and Application form
- Updated resume
- Copies of unofficial transcipts
- Course-by-Course Evaluation Report (required only from internationally trained dentists).
- Three letters of recommendation - if previously submitted letters are older than 3 years, then new letters must be sent directly from the recommender to the residency email address during the corresponding application period.
What happens after applying
Selection is based on academic achievement, prior experience, and alignment of CDC's DPHR Program with your stated goals. Applicants are considered equally, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or age. As outlined by the Commission on Dental Accreditation, all accepted residents must meet the eligibility criteria.