Dental composition comprising a water-soluble polymerizable compound of the following formula (1): AXn (1)whereinA is a straight chain or branched linker group containing least n nitrogen atoms, whereby the linker group has polyoxyalkylene and/or polyalkylene imine repeating units and optionally one or more acidic groups,X are moieties containing a polymerizable double bond and forming an amide bond with a nitrogen atom of A, wherein each X may be the same or different and are represented by the following formula (2):whereinR1 and R2 are independent from each other and represent a hydrogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group or a group -(CH2)m-COOM, wherein M represents a hydrogen atom or a metal atom, m is an integer of from 0 to 6,L is a bond or a C1-6 alkylene group andn is an integer of at least 1(ii) an initiator systemoptionally a polyacidic polymeroptionally water and/or a water soluble solvent andoptionally a particulate filler.