This study was conducted to clarify the influence of dentin surface moisture on bond strength of single-step self-etch adhesive systems. The adhesive systems used were Adper Prompt L-Pop (AP), Clearfil tri-S Bond (CT), Fluoro Bond Shake One (FB), G-Bond (GB), and One-Up Bond F Plus (OF). Bovine mandibular incisors were wet-ground with #600 SiC to expose the labial dentin. After rinsing with tap water, the dentin surface was dried with air for 10 sec (Dry condition) or blotted (Wet condition). Adhesives were applied according to each manufacturer's instructions, followed by resin composite polymerization. Ten samples per test group were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 h, then shear tested at a crosshead speed of 1.0 mm/min. The data were analyzed by Student's t test and Tukey HSD test at a probability level of 0.05. The mean bond strengths for Dry condition ranged from 13.9 MPa to 18.2 MPa, and those for Wet condition ranged from 7.1 MPa to 18.4 MPa. Significantly lower bond strengths were obtained for the Wet condition for GB, FB, and OF. Failure after the test was commonly due to adhesive breakdown associated with partial cohesive failure in the dentin. These data suggest that air-drying of the dentin surface is appropriate for the adhesive systems tested.