What does 'non-maleficence' mean in dental ethics?

Non-maleficence = 'First, do no harm' (Primum non nocere). It means the practitioner should avoid causing harm to the patient. Beneficence = do good/act in patient's best interest. Justice = fairness, equitable distribution. Autonomy = patient's right to make their own decisions. These four principles (Beauchamp & Childress) are the foundation of bioethical decision-making.