In 1989, the Florida State Board of Community Colleges (SBCC), in conjunction with the Division of Vocational, Adult and Community Education (DVACE) of the State Board Department of Education, conducted a review of the state's dental assisting and dental hygiene programs. The two major sources of information for the review were public hearings and responses to a survey mailed to each public institution's program director. The study identified several areas of concern, including: (1) curricular inconsistency and lack of standards for converting clinical experience to semester hours among the colleges offering accredited programs; (2) lack of articulation to assist program graduates in entering degree completion programs; (3) outdated equipment and inadequate facilities; (4) need for in-service faculty education; (5) lack of order and consistency in state policies; (6) declines in applications; (7) the need for expanded student recruitment activities; (8) shortages of trained personnel; (9) underrepresentation of males and minorities in program enrollments; (10) the need for greater cooperation with the dental profession; and (11) the need for continuing education options. Drawing from study findings, a program review team developed 13 recommendations related to the development of program approval criteria, the creation of a center for health statistics, supplemental program funding, student financial aid, and student recruitment focused on underrepresented groups. Appendixes include list of persons attending hearings or submitting testimony, and a copy of the survey questionnaire. (JMC)