A dentist advertises themselves as practicing a dental specialty they did not complete training in. Which dental ethical principle does this violate?

Veracity is the ethical principle of truthfulness — the obligation to communicate honestly with patients. A dentist who falsely advertises themselves as a specialist in a field they did not complete training in is violating veracity by deceiving patients and the public. This is also a violation of advertising regulations and dental practice acts in most jurisdictions. The ADA Code of Ethics specifically addresses veracity (principle 5.A) and prohibits false or misleading advertising. Justice (fairness in distribution of care), beneficence (acting in patients' best interest), and nonmaleficence (avoiding harm) are other dental ethical principles that may also be implicated, but veracity is the most directly violated.