A patient chooses to proceed with a dental procedure after being fully informed of the risks, benefits, and alternatives, including the option to refuse. Which ethical principle does this represent?

Autonomy is the ethical principle of patient self-determination — the right of a competent adult to make informed decisions about their own care. When a patient voluntarily chooses to proceed with a procedure after receiving all relevant information (diagnosis, proposed treatment, alternatives, risks, and benefits), this is the exercise of informed consent, which is grounded in the principle of autonomy. The dentist's role is to provide complete, unbiased information; the patient's role is to make the decision. This distinguishes informed consent from mere signature collection.