The invention relates to a dental treatment or examination system having a plurality of treatment or examination instruments and also having a supply unit coupled to the treatment or examination instruments. In this connection, the system has means to identify the contact of a selected instrument from the plurality of instruments and initializes, as a function of an identified contact of the relevant instrument, the supply unit for an operation of the instrument. Using the means to identify the contact it is thus possible to achieve a situation where the supply unit, for example, automatically makes available activation or parameterization options for the relevant instrument and/or suitable media without more extensive manipulation on the part of the user of the system being required therefor. As a result, the operation is facilitated.
