Evidence implicates cyclin D1 (CCND1) G870A polymorphisms as risk factors for various cancers. An increasing number of investigations have been conducted on the association of CCND1 G870A polymorphisms with susceptibility to oral carcinoma, and have yielded inconclusive results. The aim of the present study was to derive a more precise estimation of the correlation. Meta-analyses examining the association between CCND1 G870A polymorphisms and oral carcinoma were performed. Separate analyses on ethnicity, smoking status and control sources were also implemented. Eligible studies were identified prior to February 2012. From the overall data from 1,128 cases and 1,276 controls, no associations of CCND1 G870A polymorphisms with oral carcinoma were observed [AA vs. GG: odds ratio (OR)=1.06; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.62-1.82; dominant model: OR=1.04; 95% CI, 0.76-1.43; recessive model: OR=1.06; 95% CI, 0.70-1.59]. In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, smoking status and control sources, no significant associations of CCND1 G870A polymorphisms and oral cancer were observed for the three genetic models. Collectively, the data failed to suggest CCND1 G870A polymorphism as a low-penetrant risk factor for developing oral carcinoma. Additional studies with large sample sizes concerning different ethnicities in different areas are required.