Which of the following is a principle that promotes the welfare of patients in dentistry?

Non-maleficence is a fundamental principle in healthcare that emphasizes the obligation of healthcare practitioners to avoid causing harm to patients. In dentistry, this means that dental professionals must be diligent in their practices to ensure that their treatments do not adversely affect their patients' health or well-being. This principle underlines the importance of competent clinical practice, informed patient consent, and careful consideration of the risks involved in any dental procedure. By adhering to non-maleficence, dentists strive to maintain the highest standards of care, ensuring that patient safety is always a priority.

Cost-effectiveness, decorum, and marketing strategy, while important in their own right, do not directly align with the ethical principle of promoting patient welfare. Cost-effectiveness focuses on maximizing value while minimizing expenses, which, although relevant in practice management, does not directly influence the ethical obligation to patients. Decorum pertains to maintaining proper behavior and professionalism but does not inherently address patient welfare. Marketing strategy relates to how services are promoted and does not encompass the ethical responsibilities of dental practitioners toward their patients.