The expression of p53 in oral mucosal disorders is strongly associated with malignant disease. Smears from normal and malignant oral mucosa were investigated for the presence of p53 using CM1 polyclonal antibody against p53 protein. the expression of p53 in smears was compared with the expression of the marker in biopsies from these oral carcinomas. p53 was identified in eight smears from 12 biopsy positive oral cancers. It was not seen in smears from eight p53‐negative oral cancers and 40 smears from normal oral mucosa. It is suggested that expression of p53 in smears from a clinically suspicious lesion may be of value in the diagnosis of oral carcinom