The Dental Hygiene program is in demand with 80-100 applicants each year. 61 of the 92 last year met the admissions eligibility criteria for acceptance. We still accept 20 students for each class. We are limited by space, equipment and accreditation standards. The major equipment( dental chairs) are still functioning but are getting old and require more expensive repair. An equipment replacement plan would be prudent and there is discussion about expanding the program or investigating how more applicants could be accepted. A long time faculty member will retire 12/23 and it is expected that within the next couple of years there will be another retirement. Retention of first year students has decreased since the COVID pandemic and there is an increased need for student support. The cost of supplies  has also increased and advancement in technologies students need to be exposed to to begin practice is expensive.