Abstract: A dental syringe is connectible to sources of air and water under pressure for selectively providing a solid stream of water, a jet of air or a spray of water and air. The maximum rate flow of air and/or water to be used is independently metered in the handle portion of the syringe to limit the flow as required by the dental work being performed. Valve assemblies in the valve body porton of the syringe for independently controlling the air and water flow have respective actuator means each of which is interconnected with the valve assembly therefor to pull back into the water passage system downstream of the valve assembly any wafter that may be adjacent to the orifice of the syringe when the water flow is interrupted.