More than 90% of malignant tumors of the head and neck are oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC). Early OSCC detection using salivary biomarkers could prevent malignant transformations and enhance patient survival. A systematic search in MEDLINE and the Central Register of Controlled Trials and meta-analysis were undertaken to identify the screening potential of 6 salivary biomarkers for early OSCC detection: IL-8, IL1-β, DUSP-1 and S100P mRNAs, miR125a and miR200a microRNAs. The sensitivities of IL-8 (0.41; 95%CI 0.19-0.99), IL1-β (0.26; 95%CI 0.19- 0.99), DUSP-1 (0.61; 95%CI 0.01-0.98), and S100P (0.67; 95%CI 0.32- 0.99) were calculated. Specificities of the biomarkers analyzed were found to be IL-8 (0.69; 95%CI 0.66-0.99), IL1-β (0.47; 95%CI 0.46 - 0.90), DUSP-1 (0.75; 95%CI 0.33-1) and S100P (0.73; 95%CI 0.18-0.99). Early detection of OSCC was best achieved by screening for salivary mRNA DUSP-1 and S100P. Further investigation is required into miRNAs as novel biomarkers