The tensile bond strength to dentin was measured for three glass-ionomer cement and composite resin combinations: two light-curing glass-ionomer cements(Vitrebond and XR - Ionomer) and one traditional glass - ionomer cement(Ketac - Bond), two adhesive systems(Scotchbond, and XR - Bonding System), and a corresponding composite resin. The bond strength of this "sandwich" was also compared with that of the same cements used in bulk. Vitredbond showed a significantly higher bond strength in bulk than did the other two cements. Of the sandwiches, the XR - Iomomer and XR - Bond combination showed a bond strength significantly higher than that of the Vitrebond and Scotchbond or Ketac- bond and Scotchbond combination. The fracture of the bond was mainly adhesive for Vitrebond, cohesive for XR - Ionomer when used in bulk and adhesive - cohesive when used in a sandwich, and cohesive for Ketac-Bond.