Which of the following is a small dental equipment used to prepare teeth for procedures?

The dental handpiece is a small piece of equipment that plays a crucial role in preparing teeth for various dental procedures. It is primarily used to perform tasks such as drilling, cutting, or polishing teeth and is essential for many restorative and surgical procedures. The high-speed dental handpiece, for example, allows dentists to quickly and effectively remove decayed material, prepare cavities for fillings, and shape tooth structures.

In contrast, other choices serve different functions. A dental scaler is used primarily for removing calculus and debris from teeth, not for preparing them for procedures. A dental curette is designed for cleaning and shaping root surfaces, typically during periodontal treatments. Dental forceps are instruments used for extracting teeth rather than preparing them. Therefore, the dental handpiece stands out as the correct choice due to its specific function in tooth preparation during various dental treatments.