JEDDAH: The Kingdom holds the dubious distinction of being the first in the world in terms of traffic accidents and 60 percent of the victims suffer face and jaw injuries.

Dr. Khalid Almutairi, consultant and head of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department at King Saud Medical City, revealed this bitter truth at the Saudi Oral and Maxillofacial Forum.

Citing World Health Organization figures, Almutairi said: "Traffic accidents cause around 12,000 deaths and 40,000 injuries every year, with maxillofacial (jaw and face) injuries accounting for more than 60 percent of the total cases treated."

He said that in view of these statistics and the very important status of the face, from both functional and aesthetics aspects, such forums are necessary to get updates and know the advances in the diagnoses and treatment of such injuries.

Almutairi said that four professors from Germany, Britain, Austria and the Netherlands are participating in the lectures and workshops of the forum.