A dentist removes old amalgam restorations to 'detoxify' the mouth and promotes this as beneficial to the patient. Which ethical principle is violated?

Veracity refers to the duty of truthfulness and honesty in dealing with patients. The ADA Code of Ethics (Section 5.A.1) explicitly states that removal of amalgam restorations solely for the alleged purpose of detoxifying the body — when not supported by scientific evidence — is unethical because it misleads patients with false claims. This is a violation of veracity, not non-maleficence, because the primary breach is the dentist's dishonest representation of unscientific claims as beneficial treatment.