A coupling device between a motor and a handpiece for dental or surgical use. An electric motor includes a nozzle for coupling to the surgical or dental handpiece, and the ratio between the length of the coupling nozzle and the external diameter of the coupling nozzle set by ISO standard 3964-1982 is between 1.8 and 2.5. The handpiece for surgical or dental use is adapted to receive the shortened coupling nozzle of the electric motor. An assembly can be formed by the handpiece and the electric motor of this type.