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Students from the Physical Therapy Program in the College of Health Sciences (CHS-Downers Grove) performed an ergonomic/risk assessment on students from the College of Dental Medicine-Illinois (CDMI), examining their risk factors for developing work-related musculoskeletal injuries, including poor posture and repetitive movement patterns. Each physical therapy student conducted an observational assessment on four to six dental students, while the dental students examined real patients at the â��77���� Multispecialty Clinic’s Dental Institute in Downers Grove. 

Physical therapy student Leah Sindberg (CHS-Downers Grove PT ’25) described, “During this observation, we used an assessment tool called the Quick Exposure Checklist, which allowed us to efficiently evaluate their posture, movements, and ergonomic practices in real-time.” Physical therapy student Erin Lattner (CHS-Downers Grove PT ’25) said that the physical therapy students “scored the dental students’ relative risk for musculoskeletal overuse injuries based on the angle [position] of areas such as their neck, back, and wrists; the amount of load they carried; and the frequency of their movements.” She added that they also observed the tasks the student dentists performed such as preparing and cleaning supplies, the position used to conduct the examination or assist the primary dentist, and posture when documenting at the computer workstation.

Subsequently, the physical therapy students met with the dental students to share their results, offered tips and advice about preventive self-care, and practiced their consultation skills. Each dental student was provided with a handout of preventative exercises based on the results of the assessment. Leah discussed, “We reviewed and totaled the Quick Exposure Checklist results to assess each student's risk of injury. Based on this analysis, we identified and recommended specific stretches, exercises, and ergonomic adjustments tailored to each student.”

Leah and Erin expressed appreciation for the learning experience that supplemented their classroom education. “Getting hands-on experience in conducting a successful consultation program has been very valuable for my future career as a healthcare professional. It has given me confidence in my ability to conduct similar consultations in the future, whether in a formal consulting role or as part of a broader healthcare practice,” Leah said and added that it was a rewarding experience to share her expertise in the physical therapy field. “This experience taught me the impact that effective consultation can have, reaching and benefiting many dental students through personalized guidance. I learned how to communicate practical recommendations in a way that was both accessible and actionable for the students,” she emphasized. Erin continued, “This helped the physical therapy students practice a niche aspect of our (PT) career as consultants, but it also helped the dental students learn how to protect their bodies.” 

Erin emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, as the knowledge base in the field of physical therapy can be unfamiliar to dental professionals and vice versa. “It is our duty as healthcare professionals to be lifelong learners and teachers by sharing our knowledge. This experience gave a preview of how we can promote our services to other service providers, so they know when they can refer patients to physical therapists. For example, dentists know that patients experiencing TMD (temporomandibular disorders) can benefit from physical therapy.”

“This collaboration is crucial in fields like dentistry, where professionals are often exposed to repetitive movements and postures that can lead to injuries and impact their career longevity,” Leah said. She also described the benefits of the collaboration for students in the physical therapy and dentistry academic programs. “As physical therapy students, it provided firsthand experience observing dental students in their work environment and allowed us to apply our knowledge in a real-world scenario. For the dental students, it provided personalized insights into ways to improve their posture and workspace setup, which can reduce strain and prevent injuries over time,” Leah reflected. 

Interdisciplinary collaboration is a core aspect of the educational programs at â��77����, providing cross-disciplinary learning that prepares students for teamwork in real-world healthcare settings. “This collaboration exemplified â��77����’s commitment to interprofessional education. It allowed future professionals from different fields to share knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of each other’s roles. Not only did this experience enrich learning, but it also prepared us to work within healthcare teams in the future,” Leah emphasized.  

Debbie Anderson, PT, Ed.D., PCS, Professor, Physical Therapy, (CHS-Downers Grove), stated, “This physical therapy and dental medicine student interprofessional collaborative consulting activity has enriched the learning of students in both programs and laid the groundwork for future interprofessional interactions between these disciplines after graduation.”