Interprofessional education is a critical component of modern healthcare training.
Students in the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) and Dental Hygiene programs recently experienced firsthand how collaboration strengthens clinical skills, professional confidence and teamwork.
Through a hands-on learning experience, students from both programs gained a deeper understanding of how their roles intersect.
Building a Collaborative Learning Experience in Healthcare Education
This interprofessional collaboration began several years ago when Dental Hygiene faculty observed that some students struggled with the fine motor and physical demands of clinical practice. Recognizing the importance of hand strength, coordination, posture and endurance in dental hygiene, faculty sought solutions that would support student success.
Conversations with OTA Program Director Kelly Kelley revealed how occupational therapy assessments could provide valuable insight into these challenges. Occupational therapy focuses on functional performance, making it a natural fit for addressing the physical demands faced by dental hygiene students.
The collaboration became a formal part of coursework in 2024 when OTA instructor Stacy Wolfe began teaching Functional Kinesiology. Partnering with Dental Hygiene faculty member Allison Cahoon, Wolfe helped design an interprofessional learning activity that benefits students in both programs.
Hands-On Clinical Assessments Support Student Success
During the experience, OTA students assessed first-year Dental Hygiene students using standardized measures of grip strength, pinch strength, dexterity, coordination, posture and indirect vision.
For OTA students, the activity provided meaningful practice in professional assessment techniques, clinical observation and communication. For Dental Hygiene students, it offered personalized insight into their physical strengths and areas that could benefit from improvement.
“This experience helped us see how occupational therapy supports other healthcare professionals,” one OTA student shared. “It made our role feel real and impactful.”
Expanding Clinical Reasoning Through Collaboration
In 2025, the experience expanded to include additional steps in the occupational therapy process. OTA students participated in meetings with faculty acting as supervising occupational therapists. During these sessions, students reviewed assessment findings, discussed functional implications and collaborated on appropriate recommendations.
This added layer deepened OTA students’ understanding of clinical reasoning, documentation and professional collaboration.
Personalized Feedback Makes a Lasting Impact
A defining element of the experience was the individualized feedback provided to each Dental Hygiene student. OTA students summarized results, interpreted findings and created customized exercise recommendations focused on strengthening grip and pinch strength, improving dexterity and protecting joints.
Dental Hygiene students consistently described the experience as supportive, informative and empowering. Many appreciated how OTA students explained each assessment clearly, provided encouragement and created a comfortable learning environment.
“I was excited to see my results and the areas I need to strengthen,” said dental hygiene student Madison Abernathy. “The OTA students didn’t just point out weaknesses; they gave me personalized exercises so I can build stronger hands and continue my career.”
Another student, Chanell Hensley, noted, “The recommended exercises are easy to incorporate into my daily routine. That made the feedback practical and sustainable.”
Preparing Future Healthcare Professionals for Team-Based Care
Students from both programs reported increased confidence, a stronger understanding of professional roles and a greater appreciation for teamwork in healthcare. Dental Hygiene students felt more prepared for the physical demands of their profession, while OTA students gained insight into how their expertise supports other healthcare disciplines.
“Working with the OTA students showed me how important collaboration is between healthcare professions,” said dental hygiene student Mickey Canterbury. “When we support one another, patient care improves.”
Wolfe emphasized that experiences like this go beyond technical skills. “Helping students develop confidence, professional identity and an understanding of how their skills impact others is central to our program,” she said.
A Model for Interprofessional Education in Healthcare
The ongoing collaboration between the OTA and Dental Hygiene programs demonstrates the power of interprofessional education. By learning with and from one another, students gain practical experience that prepares them for collaborative practice in today’s healthcare environments.
Interested in hands-on healthcare education that prepares you for real-world teamwork and clinical success? Explore the Occupational Therapy Assistant and Dental Hygiene programs today!
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