Which ethical principle involves fairness in the distribution of benefits and burdens?

The ethical principle that involves fairness in the distribution of benefits and burdens is justice. This principle emphasizes the need for equitable treatment and access to healthcare resources, ensuring that individuals receive what they are due based on their circumstances and needs. In the context of dental practice, justice requires dental professionals to allocate resources fairly and to offer care without discrimination, addressing both the needs of patients and the wider community.

Justice plays a critical role in public health and ethics, influencing policies that affect healthcare access and the equitable distribution of resources. It guides practitioners to consider not only individual treatment but also the implications of their actions on societal health equity.

Among the other choices, none directly pertains to the equitable distribution of benefits and burdens. Beneficence focuses on the obligation to promote good and prevent harm, confidentiality pertains to the privacy of patient information, and integrity involves adhering to ethical and professional standards. While all these principles are vital in healthcare, they do not specifically address the concept of fairness in the allocation of benefits and burdens as clearly as justice does.