The effect of collagen dissolution in acid conditioned dentin layer on resin - dentin adhesion was investigated. 160 freshly extracted human molars were divided into 4 groups randomly and dentin surfaces were exposed. 40 exposed dentin surfaces were not acid conditioned and each 10 of them were applied with bonding agents within dentin bonding systems of All Bond 2, Scotchbond Multipurpose, Clearfil Photobond and Superbond D - Liner respectively. Each 10 of another 40 exposed dentin surfaces were acid conditioned by the acid within the above four bonding systems respectively and applied with corresponding bonding systems. After acid conditioning of the other 40 exposed dentin surfaces as above, they were treated with 5% NaOCl for 2 minutes, and each 10 of them were applied with the above four dentin bonding systems respectively. The remaining 40 dentin surfaces were acid conditioned and treated with 10% NaOCl for 2 minutes, and each 10 of them were applied with corresponding bonding agents as the above. After the procedures were finished, composite resin (Z -100, 3M Dent. Prod., USA) were applied on the dentin surfaces and light cured. Shear bond strength values were measured. Surface changes of fractured dentin specimens were observed using SEM (Hitachi S-2350, Japan). The following results were obtained. 1. In all of dentin bonding systems, shear bond strengths of non - conditioned specimens were significantly lower than those of acid conditioned specimens (P<0.05). 2. A statistically significant difference of bond strengths did not exist between acid conditioned specimens and 5% NaGCI retreated specimens applied with All Bond 2, Scotchbond Multipurpose and Clearfil Photobond (P>0.05). However, strength values of 5% NaOCl retreated specimens applied with Superbond D - Liner were lower than those of acid conditioned specimens (P<0.05). 3. In all the applied dentin bonding systems except Clearfil Photobond, bond strengths of 10% NaOCl retreated specimens were lower than those of acid conditioned and 5% NaOCl retreated specimens (P<0.05). 4. The resin - dentin hybrid layer of 4 - $5{mu}m$ thickness was formed in the acid conditioned specimens applied with All Bond 2, Scotchbond Multipurpose and Superbond D-Liner. 5. The resin - dentin hybrid layer of 3 - $4{mu}m$ thickness was still formed in the 5% NaOCl retreated specimens applied with All Bond 2 and Scotchbond Multipurpose. In addition, this layer was not completely removed after the retreatment with 10% NaOCl. Above results indicate that the dissolution of collagen in acid conditioned dentin layer by NaOCl solution can not be achieved completely and the collagens contribute to the resin - dentin adhesion considerably.