Internship Opportunties

CSPD Internship Programs

Pediatric dental residents in California can participate in one of two different internships: the Warren Brandli Internship, or the Santos Cortez Graduate Student Legislative Advocacy Program. Residents can apply for one or both of the programs (Deadline: November 30, 2025). A description of each program, and requirements for applications and participation are listed below.

The CSPD Leadership Development Committee will review your application, and 2 WBI and 3 GSLA interns will be selected each year. Again, you may apply for both internships but may only serve in one. If you apply for both, please state which is your preferred internship program.

Below is a link to the CSPD Leadership Development Committee User Manual where you can learn more about the CSPD Committee structure and becoming involved in CSPD Leadership. Thank you for your interest in serving as a CSPD intern and helping the CSPD fulfill its’ Mission and Vision.

Download and read the latest "Leadership Development Committee Membership User Manual 2025-2026"

WARREN BRANDLI LEADERSHIP INTERNSHIP (WBI) PROGRAM

The WBI is a leadership development program created to introduce pediatric dental residents in California to the inner workings of the CSPD. The goal of the program is to provide future leaders of our profession the knowledge and confidence to enter leadership in the CSPD, AAPD, and other Local, State and National dental organizations.

Participants will gain knowledge about the CSPD’s governance structure including the composition of the Executive Committee, the role of the Board of Directors and the CSPD Committees, and the election of CSPD Officers and Directors. Importantly, participants will understand how the CSPD achieves its Vision and Mission as defined in our strategic plan.

Interns will also learn important skill sets including setting and achieving goals at an institutional level, strategic planning, organizing and running a non-profit board meeting, parliamentary procedure and organizational governance, budgeting and finance, and fiduciary responsibility. They will also have the opportunity to participate in the planning and creation of a large, multi-day educational conference: the CSPD Annual Meeting.

Interns are expected to attend and participate in all CSPD and CSPD Foundation Board meetings and advocacy events. Your perspective and opinions will contribute to the success of our Society. The CSPD and the CSPD Foundation support participant's travel and lodging expenses for all in person meetings.

Program participants are expected to make a presentation to the CSPD Board of Directors on a topic relevant to the Mission and Vision of the CSPD. Interns will receive input, direction, and guidance on their project from a mentor in CSPD Leadership.

Requirements for participation in the WBI Program are:

• Enrolled in or recent graduation from a California pediatric dentistry residency program
• Member of the CSPD
• Submit a completed WBI Program Application (see below)
• Submit a short Curriculum Vitae
• Submit a Personal Statement of why you would like to be considered
• A letter of recommendation from your program director or other senior faculty member
• Attend and participate all CSPD and CSPD Foundation Board meetings and advocacy activities
• Assist CSPD and CSPD Foundation Leadership with projects as assigned
• Attend conferences, inter-professional and Committee meetings as assigned
• Complete a project on a topic mutually agreed upon with an assigned CSPD mentor and present the results to the CSPD Board of Directors
• Participate in an exit interview and survey

Current WBI Interns:

• Dr. Carleen Tse
• Dr. Aubrey Morrone

SANTOS CORTEZ GRADUATE STUDENT LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY (GSLA) PROGRAM

The purpose of the GSLA program is to expose interns to public policy advocacy at the State and National level, by attending two advocacy events each year. The first is the annual Public Policy and Advocacy Conference held in Washington DC, a Congressional lobby day conducted by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. At an orientation session, you will meet and interact with AAPD Leadership, as well as public policy advocates and residents from other States. Alongside with CSPD Leadership, residents will then visit offices of the Members of the US Senate and US House of Representatives, lobbying on behalf children’s oral health and the profession of pediatric dentistry.

The second is a joint CSPD and CDA Advocacy Day held in Sacramento. In the morning, the residents and CSPD Leadership will meet with CDA Public Affairs Specialists. Multiple bills and topics of interest to pediatric dentistry will be reviewed, and you will receive instruction on how to lobby members of the State Legislature. In the afternoon, smaller groups will call on the offices of members of the State Assembly and Senate. You will be assigned a specific bill of importance to our profession, and you will personally present the position the CSPD and the CDA holds on that piece of legislation.

For these events two events, the cost of hotels and air travel will be supported by the CSPD, the CSPD Foundation, the AAPD or the CDA.

Program participants are expected to make a presentation to the CSPD Board of Directors either on their lobbying experience, or on a public policy advocacy topic. Interns will receive input, direction, and guidance on their project from a mentor on the CSPD Public Policy Advocacy Committee.

Requirements for participation in the GSLA Program are:

• Enrolled in a California pediatric dentistry residency program
• Member of the CSPD
• Submit a completed GSLA Program Application (see below)
• Submit a short Curriculum Vitae
• Submit a Personal Statement of why you would like to be considered
• A letter of recommendation from your program director or other senior faculty member
• Attend both lobbying days
• Complete a project on a public policy advocacy topic, mutually agreed upon with the CSPD Public Policy Advocate, and present the findings to the CSPD Board of Directors
• Participate in an exit interview and survey

Current GSLA Interns:

• Dr. Jody Chiang
• Dr. Maile Osborne
• Dr. Heina Iyob-Tessema

Additional information:

The CSPD Leadership Development Committee will review your application, and 2 WBI and 3 GSLA interns will be selected each year. Again, you may apply for both internships but may only serve in one. If you apply to both, please state which is your preferred internship program.

Applicants are required to submit one letter of recommendation. The Leadership Development Committee recommends that the letter be from the applicant’s Program Director or other senior faculty member. Please have the senders submit letters directly to CSPD Administrative Director Melissa Feltz at mfeltz@cspd.org.

APPLY TODAY! Applications are due by close of business November 30, 2025.

Thank you for your interest in serving as a CSPD intern and helping the CSPD fulfill its’ Mission and Vision.