What term refers to the system of principles governing dental practice?

The correct answer, dental ethics, refers specifically to the moral principles that guide dental practice, influencing the decisions and actions of dental professionals. Dental ethics encompasses the responsibilities dentists have towards their patients, their colleagues, and society as a whole. It includes guidelines for patient care, informed consent, confidentiality, and the obligation to do no harm, aligning practices with ethical standards in healthcare.

Dental hygiene, while related to the practice and care involved in maintaining oral health, does not encompass the broader ethical considerations that govern how dental practitioners should conduct themselves. Similarly, dental theory refers to the scientific knowledge and concepts behind dental practices but falls short of addressing the moral implications and professional conduct involved. Dental policy typically pertains to regulations and guidelines set by governing bodies within the dental profession and is more about operational procedures than the ethical principles that guide individual practitioners.