What ethical principle relates to treating patients in a way that promotes their well-being?

The principle that relates to treating patients in a way that promotes their well-being is beneficence. This ethical principle emphasizes the moral obligation of healthcare providers to act in the best interest of patients, ensuring that their actions contribute positively to a patient's health and overall wellness.

Beneficence encompasses a range of actions that a dental professional might take, such as providing effective treatment options, alleviating pain, and considering the individual circumstances and needs of each patient. In practice, this means not only providing medical interventions but also advocating for patients' best interests, educating them about their choices, and ensuring they receive comprehensive care.

The other options touch on important ethical principles, but they do not specifically capture the essence of promoting patient well-being in the same direct way as beneficence. For instance, integrity relates more to the honesty and moral principles that guide a professional's actions, justice refers to fairness and equality in the distribution of care, and competence involves maintaining the necessary skills and knowledge to perform one's duties effectively. While all these principles are crucial in the context of dental practice, beneficence is uniquely focused on the well-being of the patient.