A professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery, Prof. Ezekiel Adebayo, has revealed that highway and motorcycle crashes are the leading causes of maxillofacial injuries in Nigeria.

Speaking during the 7th inaugural lecture of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo State, Adebayo, who is the Dean, Faculty of Dental Science, emphasized the need for strict enforcement of traffic laws to prevent avoidable accidents.

Delivering the lecture titled ‘Man and His Oral Health: Exploits of a Maxillofacial Surgeon’ at the Laje Campus of the University, he highlighted that research findings show only 2 per cent of motorcycle accident victims wore helmets during crashes.

The don also advocated for oral health integration into general health care, especially at the primary health care level, due to the high cost of oral treatments.

He said: “We need to enforce existing traffic laws, such as those against driving under the influence of alcohol. Improving road conditions, ensuring motorcyclists use crash helmets, avoiding overloading, and mandating proper training for motorcycle operators are critical.

“Additionally, many motorcyclists are not trained to handle the vehicles they use. Proper training is essential. Diversifying transportation modes—such as increasing the use of rail, water, and air transport—will help decongest roads and reduce accidents.

“Oral health treatments are expensive, and many people cannot afford them, so they avoid seeking care. There is a need for universal health coverage to include oral health care, ensuring people are not deterred by the cost of treatment.

“Moreover, people must be made aware that oral health care is available under this scheme. Sometimes, services may be available, but people are unaware of them and, therefore, do not access them. Raising awareness is vital so people can access oral health care, improve their overall health, and reduce treatment costs by seeking care earlier.”

Prof. Adebayo further stressed the importance of addressing the brain drain in the medical profession by improving living standards and tackling insecurity.

He stated: “If the quality of life for everyone is improved, doctors will naturally benefit as well. This is in addition to targeted incentives that reduce the attraction of leaving the country, such as better remuneration, lower taxation rates, and improved working conditions.

“If the general living conditions of Nigerians improve, along with targeted incentives for health care workers, the retention of these workers in Nigeria will improve. This will make Nigeria’s situation comparable to opportunities abroad, reducing the motivation to leave.”