Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma is a malignant tumor located in the head and neck region. Although an early diagnosis is possible, in most cases it is made too late, resulting in high morbidity and mortality rates. Dental practitioners have an opportunity to detect potentially malignant oral disorders and early stages of oral carcinoma. Education of patients and healthcare professionals about the early signs and symptoms of malignant transformations in the oral cavity is crucial for early detection. Dental practitioners should be familiar with currently available methods for early diagnosis of carcinoma, clinical examination and oral tissue biopsy as the diagnostic gold standard, as well as with auxiliary diagnostic techniques based on tissue fluorescence and vital stains. Since these techniques are not perfect, newer, less invasive methods have emerged in recent years. Some of these methods include analysis of exfoliative cytology samples and liquid biopsy, imaging techniques based on visualization of epithelial structure using ultrasound signals or light refraction, and nanoparticle-enhanced conventional spectroscopy methods. Although promising, these new techniques have not yet been sufficiently developed to justify commercial availability and will require additional research and expert training.