Abstract: A method for improving retention and drainage performance in a papermaking process is disclosed. The method comprises forming an aqueous cellulosic papermaking slurry, adding an effective amount of a hydrophilic dispersion polymer to the slurry, draining the slurry to form a sheet and drying the sheet. The hydrophilic dispersion polymer is preferably a copolymer of dimethylaminoethyl acrylate methyl chloride quaternary and acrylamide.