Dental Public Health Residency Application

Dental Public Health Residency Application

Our application process begins September 1st of each year and ends on November 1st.

Applications may be requested by e-mail from dphresidency@uthscsa.edu. Applications which are not received by November 1st will not be considered for acceptance.

Dental Public Health Residency Requirements

The applicant must:

• Possess a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS/DMD) degree or an international dental degree (BDS)(Both ADA accredited or non-accredited Schools are eligible).
• Master of Public Health (MPH) degree. An equivalent degree is acceptable as long as the following core courses have been completed: biostatistics, epidemiology, environmental health, behavioral sciences and health care policy and management.

Dental Public Health Residency Application

The Dental Public Health Residency application can be requested by e-mail to dphresidency@uthscsa.edu. The deadline for the application is November 1st of each year for the start of the residency program on July 1st of the following year. Applicants are advised to send all required materials in one submission as early as possible to allow a complete and timely review. Applications must be complete to be considered for a position in the residency.

A completed application consists of:

1. Application form: A completed DPH Residency application.

2. Official transcripts: Original transcripts, original foreign transcripts, and original foreign course evaluations (WES or ECE) from each university/school attended must be sent directly from the granting institution in a sealed envelope to the address listed in the application. Transcripts provided in a language other than English must be accompanied by an English translation and certified by a licensed credentialing service. NACES (https://www.naces.org/contact) We do NOT accept copies. If the institution sends electronic transcripts, they must be sent to: dphresidency@uthscsa.edu

3. Statement of Career Objectives: A personal statement of career objectives should be brief (no more than one page) and describe the candidate's plans after completion of the residency. Please include a description of how the DPH residency will help to achieve the candidate's career goals. Indicate a research area of interest that the candidate would like to pursue during the residency.

 4. Review of a Dental Public Health Topic: A 1,000-word scientific/evidence-based review with references (APA format) on this topic: “Access to oral health among elderly in rural areas”. (References are not included in the 1,000-word count). The review of the literature provides the DPH Residency Committee with an understanding of the candidate's written communication skills and knowledge of public health.

5. Official TOEFL Score Report: Applicants from countries where English is not the official language need to provide scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in English, including comprehension, speaking, and writing. English proficiency is necessary to participate in seminars, write the research protocols and reports, and interact with faculty, staff, patients, and community leaders.

6. Letters of Recommendation: Letters from three persons with whom the candidate had an educational or work relationship. These individuals should be able to describe the candidate's suitability for the residency, dedication to a task, and ability to synthesize information. The letters should be sent by the person giving the recommendation directly to the residency program e-mail address at dphresidency@uthscsa.edu

7. Curriculum Vitae: A current copy of your curriculum vitae. The vita provides a summary of your educational and employment experiences.

Screening and Selection

Initially, the applications undergo a review for completeness. Applications cannot be reviewed if deemed incomplete by the DPH Program Director. The applications are forwarded to the Residency Committee that consists of members of the teaching faculty, representation from individuals with education in dental public health from the community, and the Program Director. Applications are reviewed based upon established criteria that include, but are not limited to, oral and written communication, previous work experiences, research/publications, community experiences, potential for success, and academic performance.

A preliminary review of the applications is conducted by the Committee who select candidates for a virtual interview. Once the Committee completes the virtual interview, the Committee decides which candidates to consider for a face-to-face interview. The interview provides the committee with the ability to evaluate the candidate’s intellectual curiosity, career objectives and goals, and suitability for the program. Based upon input received from the interviewers, the Committee meets and recommends the individuals for admission to the DPH Program Director who will notify applicants of the disposition of the application.

Notification of Acceptance

Notification of acceptance will be made to the candidate at the e-mail address provided on the residency application. Acceptance will not be made over the telephone.

Additional Materials Required After Acceptance

Once accepted into the residency, the following information must be provided before matriculation into the program.  Each candidate will need to provide proof of immunization. If the candidate requires additional immunizations, the candidate will have to obtain required immunizations at his/her expense and demonstrate proof prior to the start of their program.

Each candidate must demonstrate that they have health insurance. If the candidate does not have health insurance, they will be enrolled in the UTHSCSA Student Insurance Plan and will be responsible for any fees related to the insurance policy.  Each candidate must pass a criminal background check through the university. The Residency Director will provide the candidate with additional instructions after admission into the program.