Influence of surface treatment of calcium metaphosphate ceramic was analyzed in detail to achieve high adhesion in an aqueous environment with N-(vinylbenzyl) iminodiacetic acid as a novel dental adhesive monomer. The adhesion strength was enhanced greatly by alkali etching of the ceramic surface, although the adhesion profile varied with etching conditions. Scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis, and roughness evaluation indicated that high adhesion was closely associated with the formation of fine irregularity on the surface that was rich in Ca. N-(Vinylbenzyl)iminodiacetic acid was thus confirmed to be a suitable adhesive monomer for the ceramic in dentistry in terms of strength and durability when the ceramic surface was properly etched.