Beneficence — MFDS Part 1 MCQ
Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.
Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.
Reveal the answer and explanation
Correct answer: A — Acting to promote the patient's welfare and clinical benefit
Beneficence means acting to promote the patient's welfare and provide clinical benefit, so A is correct. This is reflected in the GDC requirement to provide treatment in the patient's best interests and to place those interests before personal or financial gain. B describes non-maleficence: avoiding or minimising harm. C represents justice, including fairness and equitable treatment. D describes respect for autonomy, including the competent patient's right to accept or refuse treatment after receiving appropriate information. E concerns confidentiality. These principles often operate together; beneficence does not permit a dentist to override a capacitous patient's informed refusal merely because the dentist believes treatment would be beneficial.
Reference: General Dental Council. Standards for the Dental Team, Principle One: Put patients' interests first, particularly standards 1.4.2 and 1.7. Effective 2013. https://standards.gdc-uk.org/pages/principle1/principle1