The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the dentin pretreatment on the marginal leakage of a glassionomer cement. 1n this study, 60 molars with sound and healthy crown portion were used. The dentin surface of these teeth were exposed and polished with 600 grit silicon carbide paper. Square - shaped cavities were prepared on the flattened dentin surfaces and these were divided into 4 groups according to the dentin pretreatment procedures. Group I : Dentin pretreatment with distilled water as a control group. Group II : Dentin pretreatment with 5% sodium hypochlorite solution. Group III : Dentin pretreatment with Ketac conditioner. Group IV : Dentin pretreatment with 40% polyacrylic acid. The degrees of dye penetration in the cavity walls were assessed using a stereoscope at ${ imes}40$ magnification according to the maximum dye penetration. The results were analyzed by using Mann - Whitney U test. The results were as follows : 1. All groups showed varying depth of dye penetration. 2. Distilled water group showed the most severe marginal leakage when compared with the other groups(P<0.05). 3. 40% polyacrylic acid group showed the least amount of marginal leakage compared with the other groups (P<0.05). 4. There were significant differences between Goup I(distilled water) and Group IV (40% polyacrylic acid)(P<0.05), but there were no significant differences among Group I(distilled water), Group II(sodium hypochlorite), Group III(Ketac conditioner) (P>0.05).