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Schwartz B, Bohay R. J Dent Educ 2012; 76: 174–184

The authors of this study, report that videos recorded of patients recounting experiences of dental treatment, appear to have a higher learning impact for second-year dental students compared with those in third-year. These patients were from predominantly disenfranchised backgrounds. This study also showed that students seem to lose their empathy for patients during their training. However, the use of videos combined with reflective learning may lessen this worrying observation although some students loathed this method of learning. The investigators acknowledge that this study has limitations in that only about one half of those students invited to participate reported their observations and there was no control group. Nevertheless, the authors argue that the use of videos are central to equality and equity in delivering dental care under the overarching umbrella of empathy.