How to Apply to the Dental Public Health Residency (DPHR) Program

Step 1: Complete and compile all required application materials

Applicants must submit the following materials as one complete package in a zip file:

• Requirements Checklist and Application form pdf icon[PDF – 2 MB].
• Resume.
• Copies of unofficial transcripts:
  • 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 language is not English
  • Do not send high school transcripts or copies of National Board Examination scores.
  • Note: 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the program, CDC must receive your official transcripts by January 31 of the residency year, or your acceptance will be withdrawn.

• Three letters of recommendation from people who have agreed to serve as references are required.
  • NOTE: These will NOT be part of the materials submitted by the applicant. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure references submit letters directly to the Residency Director by the application deadline.

Additional Items Required if Degree(s) Obtained Outside the United States (US)

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Scores: ONLY REQUIRED IF BOTH DEGREES OBTAINED OUTSIDE OF UNITED STATES (US). SKIP THIS IF YOU HAVE DDS OR PUBLIC HEALTH DEGREE FROM A US INSTITUTION.
  • TOEFL scores are required for applicants who received both their dental and public health degrees from institutions outside US.
  • You can include a copy of unofficial TOEFL scores in your application, but if accepted into the program, you will need to provide official TOEFL scores within the last two years.
  • The Computer Based Test (CBT), Internet Based Test (iBT), or the Paper Based Test (PBT) will be accepted. The following are the minimum required scores based on test type:
    • CBT: minimum total score of 250.
    • iBT: minimum total score of 100.
    • PBT: minimum total score of 600.

• Course-by-Course Evaluation report: REQUIRED FOR APPLICANTS WHO HAVE OBTAINED BOTH OR A SINGLE DEGREE OUTSIDE OF THE US/CANADA.
  • Applicants who have obtained a degree outside of the United States or Canada must also include a course-by-course evaluation report from a US Credentialing Agency listed below. When you send your documents to one of these agencies, ask for a course-by-course evaluation.

1. American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)
   One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 520
   Washington, DC 20036
   Telephone: 202-293-9161
   Web site: http://www.aacrao.org/external icon
2. Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
   P.O. Box 514070
   Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
   Telephone: 414-289-3400
   Web site: http://www.ece.orgexternal icon
3. World Education Services (WES)
   Bowling Green Station
   P.O. Box 5087
   New York, NY 10274-5087
   Telephone: 212-966-6311
   Web site: http://www.wes.orgexternal icon

Step 2: Package your application materials into a single zip file with the file name “[First Name_Last Name] [Application Year]”

• Save all the completed application materials in one Zip File. Refer to the Zip File Instructions pdf icon[PDF – 482 KB] for step-by-step instructions on how to save your materials as a Zip File.

Step 3: Email your complete zip file to DPHResidency@cdc.gov by October 2, 2021

• Attach the completed zip file to an email and send it to DPHResidency@cdc.gov.
  • 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.
• For academic year 2022–2023, all components of the application, including the three letters of recommendation, must be submitted by email no later than October 2, 2021 to be eligible for consideration.

Residency Director Contact Information

Dr. Gina Thornton-Evans, DDS, MPH

Director, Dental Public Health Residency Program

E-mail: DPHresidency@cdc.gov

Selection is based on academic achievement, prior experience, and alignment of CDC’s Residency 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 (CODA), all accepted residents must meet the eligibility criteria.