The adsorption of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) on bovine dentin from aqueous solution was examined to clarify the priming effects of HEMA on dentin bonding. HEMA adsorption was characterized by: (1) slow attainment of equilibrium at higher concentrations (after 72 h); (2) a linear isotherm with a maximum possible adsorption, where an abrupt horizontal plateau occurred; (3) the large adsorption of ca. 2.5% by weight at the plateau; and (4) a vertical initial slope of the isotherm. The morphological difference between dentin powder surfaces before and after adsorption could not be determined. After heating, however, dentin powder which adsorbed HEMA was more resistant to demineralization with 6N HCl than the powder which did not adsorb. SEM examinations demonstrated that there was a demineralization-resistant dentin layer in tooth which adsorbed HEMA. The results indicated that HEMA infiltrated into intertubular dentin during adsorption.