Dental Jurisprudence Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive Study Resource

The principle that refers to "to do no harm" in ethical practice is known as nonmaleficence. This principle highlights the obligation of healthcare professionals, including dental practitioners, to avoid actions that could cause harm to patients. It emphasizes the importance of patient safety and requires practitioners to carefully consider the potential risks associated with their actions or interventions.

Nonmaleficence aligns with the foundational ethical responsibility to protect patients and ensure their well-being. This principle serves as a guiding rule when making clinical decisions, ensuring that practitioners prioritize the health and safety of those they serve.

While beneficence relates to promoting good and acting in the best interest of the patient, and justice pertains to fairness in the distribution of healthcare resources, nonmaleficence specifically focuses on the concept of refraining from harmful actions, making it the correct principle associated with the idea of "to do no harm."