The incidence of oral cancer varies widely worldwide. Its treatment often produces significant functiona l and cosmetic morbidity and its mortality continues to be high. Strategies for diagnosing, managing and preventing the disease must be based on an understanding of r isk factors and the pathogenesis of the disease locally. The World Health Organizat ion has documented that few countries have a comprehensive a pproach to the diagnosis , management and prevention of cancer at various anatomic sites. This presentation will review the United States’ experience with oral cancer and its strategies fo1' affecting incidence and prognosis . The greatest obs tacles are often political and economic, not scientific.