The incidence of oral cancer is increasing worldwide. Patients with oral cancer have low survival rate compared with other cancer in the body. This is mainly because of the delay in the diagnosis, spread of tumormetastasis, and and thereby leading to secondary tumors. For the dental profession, it is really challenging and highly important to diagnose oral precancer or oral cancer, particularly in its early stage of the disease. Early screening and advanced diagnostic tool play an important role in the early diagnosis and treatment planning of patients suffering from oral cancer. This article reviews the chair side diagnostic aids as a tool for early detection of oral cancer. The article also emphasis on the role of general dentist and their importance in the early detection of oral cancer. Therefore every general dental practitioner should be aware of recent advances in diagnosis, in order to provide a high level of care among patients suspected with cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions .