A dentist who began but never completed an orthodontic residency advertises a practice 'limited to orthodontics.' Which ethical principle has been violated?

Correct answer: D. Veracity

• A. ❌ Justice concerns fairness in the distribution of care and resources.
• B. ❌ Beneficence is the duty to act for the patient's benefit.
• C. ❌ Autonomy is the patient's right to self-determination. It can be indirectly undermined by deception, but the principle actually breached is veracity.
• D. ✅ CORRECT — VERACITY is the duty of truthfulness. Announcing a practice limited to a specialty without having completed an accredited program is a misrepresentation of credentials — it deceives the public about training the dentist does not hold. The ADA Principles of Ethics address this directly under Veracity.

Note: Veracity questions almost always involve credentials, advertising, disclosure of treatment errors, or billing honesty.