Student Retention Practices in Associate Degree, Entry-Level Dental Hygiene Programs‪.‬

Purpose. The main purpose of this study was to investigate student retention strategies and practices implemented in associate degree, entry-level dental hygiene programs. Included are student attrition issues, academic standards, re-entry policies, and clinical remediation strategies. Methods. A survey consisting of forced choice and open-ended questions was mailed to 31 randomly selected associate degree, entry-level dental hygiene programs. Surveys were analyzed using descriptive statistics and frequency distributions. Open-ended questions were analyzed using the constant comparative qualitative method to identify recurring themes.