An Interprofessional Approach to Ergonomics

By Claudia Turcotte, CDA, RDH, MSDH, MSOSH, Martha J. Sanders, PhD, MSOSH, OTR/L, CPE and Patricia A. Johnson, RDH, MS

An interprofessional educational collaboration between occupational therapy and dental hygiene departments from different institutions was developed to promote children’s oral health. As assessment of dental hygiene work practices and positioning is the foundation for developing solutions to prevent, decrease, or eliminate pain and improve musculoskeletal health, this collaboration also included the occupational therapy students observing and assisting dental hygiene students during the delivery of oral health services (Figure 1). Both groups purposefully planned observations and interactions to create an awareness and appreciation of each other’s expertise. These observations and interactions created a secondary goal: to develop work environment alternatives that promote appropriate body mechanics.

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