Effect of school environment on the dropout rate of enrolled students: focus of the department of dental hygiene

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the impact of school environment indicators on the dropout rates of dental hygiene students. Methods: A correlation was established between dropout rates and several key variables, and hierarchical regression analysis was employed to identify the factors that influence dropout rates. Results: Schools with fewer students exhibited higher dropout rates than those of larger institutions. High dropout rates were negatively correlated with employment rates, research grants, tuition fees, and the total number of dental students. Among these variables, graduate employment rate was the only significant factor affecting attrition rates. Conclusions: To reduce the dropout rates among dental hygiene students, it is essential to enhance their employability skills and foster a strong collaboration between educational institutions and employers.