Oral cancer (OC) is one of the 10th most common neoplasms globally and according to WHO Cancer Register there were an estimated 300.373 new cases diagnosed and 145.353 deaths recorded in 2012. The major recognized risk factors include smoking and alcohol what is possible explanation for higher incidence among men. Recently, oral human papilloma virus infection emerged as important etiological factor contributing together with life style changes and adoption of harmful habits to general trend for increasing incidence of OC among women and young persons. In spite of diagnostic and therapeutic development in OC patients’ mortality and morbidity rates remain high with no advancement in last 30 years. Most oral cancers develop from precancerous lesion of oral cavity mucosa and early detection is crucial for successful treatment. The doctors of dental medicine play key role in the early detection of oral cancer doing regular inspection of the oral mucosa to all their patients during routine examination or in screening programs. Appropriate education of dental medicine students and continuing education programs of general dentists are needed to increase successful prevention and early detection of oral cancer.