To address this objective, we formulated the following null hypotheses: there are no significant differences in the DEC1 and CD44 immunoscores among patients with OLK, OLP, and AC; no significant differences in the DEC1 and CD44 immunoscores across the various dysplastic levels of oral lesions; and no significant differences in the DEC1 and CD44 immunoscores between normal mucosa, OPMDs, and OSCC. Here, CD44 is linked to oral lichen planus.