From January 1962 to December 1978, 381 consecutive cases of oral cancer in Fars Province were analyzed and studied. The incidence of oral cancer was found to be 1.13/100 000. The male/female ratio was 5:1, the median age of oral cancer was 55 years. 97% of the oral cancer was squamous cell carcinoma. The most commonly affected oral site was the lower lip, next was the tongue. Tobacco smoking and opium addiction were more common among the affected compared with the control group. Dental sepsis and poor oral hygiene were common in both groups. Malnutrition, anemia and liver dysfunction were common in the examined sample and are thought to be possible causative factors especially in those with no smoking habits. The role of general dental practitioners was limited, they suspected and referred only 13 advanced cases.