This study was performed to investigate the apoptotic potential of curcmin as an anticarcinogenic agent on DMBA induced oral carcinogenesis in albino rats. Methods: A total of 75 male albino rats weighing 180-200 grams each were used in the present study. The animals were randomized into five experimental and control groups and they were evaluated using survivin immunostaining. Group I: (control group) the animals received no treatment, Group II: the animals received 7,12 DMBA by topical application for 28 weeks, Group III: (control group) the animals received curcumin incorporated in the diet, Group IV: The animals received curucmin alone for 2 weeks then treated with both 7,12 DMBA and curcumin for 28 weeks. And finally group V: the animals received 7,12 DMBA for 20 weeks then curcumin and7,12 DMBA as in group IV for an extra 8 weeks . Animal sacrifice for all groups was done after 28 weeks from the beginning of the experiment, except for group V where sacrifcation was made after 32 weeks. Results: Group I and III showed normal stratified squamous epithelium without any changes in the epithelium. Meanwhile, Group II revealed Squamous cell carcinoma by the 28th week, Group IV revealed areas of moderate dysplasia. While Group V revealed that the buccal mucosa showed a slight improvement in the dysplastic changes of epithelium. The survivin expression in group II was the highest among all the experimental groups, while survivin expression in group I, III was at a milder level. However, survivin expression in both group IV ,V showed a moderate survivin immunoreactivity compared to group II. Conclusion: curcumin may represent one of the chemopreventive agents that may inhibit, retard or block the process of carcinogenesis through induction of apoptosis