Background/Objectives: Mortality from COVID-19 in intensive care units (ICUs) was not clearly reported in many regions during the first wave. We aimed to assess the characteristics and outcomes of ICU patients with COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a secondary data analysis of the Convalescent Plasma Trial. All patients who were recruited from King Fahad Hospital of the University (KFHU) in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia between 13 March 2020 and 13 September 2020 were included. Characteristics and outcomes, differences in characteristics and outcomes between Saudi and non-Saudi populations, and predictors of mortality were assessed. Results: The KFHU recruited 185 ICU patients with COVID-19. Of those, 90 (48.6%) were Saudi, and 95 (51.4%) were non-Saudi. The overall mean age was 56.7 years, and 71.9% were males. Compared with Saudis, non-Saudis were younger, with a mean age of 54.4 years, were more likely to be males (81.1%), and had a higher median respiratory rate (28.0 breaths/min vs. 24.0), a lower percentage of blood-oxygen saturation (86.0% vs. 91.0%), and higher median levels of ferritin per µg/L (820 vs. 550). The overall mortality rate was 33.0% (n = 61). The mortality rate in non-Saudis (42.1%) was higher than that in Saudis (23.3%). The variables associated with increased mortality included non-Saudi status (odds ratio [OR] 2.66; 95% CI: 1.05, 6.72), ferritin (OR 1.01; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.02), and intubation (OR 8.55; 95% CI: 2.92, 24.97). Conclusions: Since the mortality rate in non-Saudis was greater than that in Saudis, more efforts should be made to improve social determinants of health across non-Saudis in our region.

Background: Dental veneers have gained growing interest recently as an aesthetic dental treatment. However, the public’s understanding of veneers’ benefits and risks is unclear. Aim: To assess the awareness and knowledge of the public about dental veneers in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional study employed an Arabic questionnaire, which consisted of three sections: demographic information, awareness about oral hygiene, and awareness about dental veneers. Correct responses to knowledge questions were assigned one point, and all points were summed to calculate the total knowledge score. Results: The study included 340 eligible respondents, out of whom 51 (15%) used veneers. Most responses to knowledge questions were correct. However, more than half of the participants wrongly thought that dental veneers are indicated for the correction of severely crowded teeth or to replace missing teeth, and 40.3% did not know that they require the removal of tooth structure. A low knowledge score about dental veneers was significantly related to male gender (p < 0.001), non-Saudi nationality (p = 0.005), attending medium/high schools only (0.014), and working in jobs outside the dental field (p = 0.036). Conclusions: The public’s knowledge regarding dental veneers in Saudi Arabia is fair but requires improvement to correct some misconceptions regarding the benefits and risks associated with the installation of veneers. The defects in knowledge identified by the present study should be addressed in patient education initiatives to improve patients’ understanding, align patients’ expectations, and help informed decision-making.