the invention provides a self etching adhesive dental primer composition , a method of use of the primer composition and a product formed from the primer . the dental product is formed from the primer composition which includes water , surfactant and polymerizable material in suspension in the water . the polymerizable material includes monomers which are water immiscible . preferably the monomers have an average molecular weight less than 1000 . the primer composition is used by applying the composition to unetched dental tooth enamel and the polymerizable material is polymerized to form a dental product having adhesion to the enamel of more than 13 mpa . improved surfactants which contain at least one ethenically unsaturated polymerizable group are provided in accordance with the invention . surfactants of the present invention copolymerize with and become an integral part of any polymerizable resin matrix in which they are incorporated . this prevents migration of the surfactant through the matrix or slow leaching - out through the interfaces , and brings advantages of biocompatibility and stability of the physical properties of the cured matrix . in addition , the surfactant becomes a permanent part of the matrix , and forms part components of the matrix .