Global cancer statistical data show that Central Europe has one of the highest incidence rates of oral cancer worldwide mainly in men’s population. Early detection is extremely important as it results in lower morbidity and death rates. The aim of this study was to evaluate and determines the frequency, distribution, etiologic factors and types of oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) in a large representative sample in the general public of western part of Slovakia.We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 1132 patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinomas treated from 1991 to 2011 at a single institution at Department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, University Hospital in Bratislava, Slovakia. The number of head and neck cancer cases has increased in the last 20 years; almost 3/4 of the patients presented in this study with SCC of the oral cavity were diagnosed in stage III and IV. This fact significantly decreases the overall 5-year survival rate. Overall, the awareness of oral cancer in the high-risk population of Slovakia was not satisfactory, points to a need for further spread of information on this issue and its associated risks. This is especially important for the young, as this may possibly help them to keep away from the deleterious habit of tobacco, alcohol consumption and bad oral hygiene in any form.