Improving antibacterial performance of dental resin adhesive via co-incorporating fluoride and quaternary ammonium

•Cationic quaternary ammonium group can reduce the initial burst release of negative fluoride ion.•Sustained release of fluoride ion can provide extended non-contact antibacterial activity.•Covalently bonded quaternary ammonium can provide a long-term contact antibacterial activity.•Co-incorporation of quaternary ammonium and fluoride improves adhesive antibacterial performance for dental application.