A dentist extracts all teeth for a fully edentulous patient who specifically requested this treatment. Which ethical principle BEST describes the dentist's compliance with the patient's request?

Correct answer: D. Autonomy and beneficence

• A. Veracity (truth-telling) is not the primary ethical principle governing compliance with a patient's treatment request.
• B. Non-maleficence (do no harm) would apply if the dentist were trying to avoid causing harm, which is not the defining feature of complying with an autonomous request.
• C. Justice relates to fair allocation of resources and equitable treatment, which is not the central issue when a patient requests a specific procedure.
• D. Correct. Autonomy respects the patient's right to make decisions about their own body. Beneficence reflects the dentist acting in the patient's best interest by fulfilling their informed request. Both principles apply when a patient makes an informed choice and the dentist complies.