Non-Maleficence Definition — ORE Part 1 MCQ

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EasyBehavioural Sciences & EthicsNon-Maleficence DefinitionORE Part 1

In dental ethics, which principle requires the dentist to avoid causing unnecessary harm to a patient?

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Correct answer: A — Non-maleficence

The correct answer is **A. Non-maleficence**. It means the duty to avoid causing harm—classically, “first, do no harm.” In dentistry this requires the clinician to minimise avoidable injury, pain, risk and suffering when planning and delivering care. The Faculty of Dental Surgery guidance explicitly describes non-maleficence in these terms. **Beneficence** means acting to promote the patient’s welfare or doing good. **Justice** concerns fairness and equitable treatment. **Veracity** is the obligation to be truthful, including when discussing diagnosis, risks and outcomes. **Confidentiality** requires protection of patient information. These are all important ethical duties, but none specifically defines the obligation to avoid harm.

Reference: Royal College of Surgeons of England, Faculty of Dental Surgery. Consent and the Use of Physical Intervention in the Dental Care of Children (2008), ethical principles section: https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/-/media/Files/RCS/FDS/Publications/paed_dent_intervention.pdf