You discover your colleague (a dentist) is self-prescribing opioids. You report this to the state dental board. Which ethical principle BEST describes your action?

Correct answer: C. Beneficence (acting for the good of patients and the profession)

• A. Justice relates to fair treatment and equitable access to care — not the primary principle here.
• B. Autonomy concerns patient self-determination, not colleague oversight.
• C. Correct. Reporting an impaired colleague who may be endangering patients is an act of BENEFICENCE — you are acting to protect patient welfare and uphold the integrity of the profession. Beneficence means acting for the benefit of others.
• D. Non-maleficence ('do no harm') applies more to avoiding direct patient harm in treatment. While related, beneficence is the primary principle driving reporting impaired colleagues.