Ethics & Law · single question
A dentist presents all treatment options for an oral disease to the patient. Which ethical principle did the dentist follow?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. Autonomy
- A. Beneficence means 'doing good' for the patient. While presenting options is beneficial, the specific principle of patient decision-making is autonomy.
- B. Non-maleficence means 'do no harm.' Presenting all treatment options is not specifically about avoiding harm.
- C. Justice relates to fair distribution of resources and equitable treatment — not specifically to information sharing.
- D. AUTONOMY is the ethical principle of respecting the patient's right to make informed decisions. Presenting ALL treatment options gives the patient the information needed to make an autonomous, informed choice — the foundation of informed consent.