After Dr. Welch graduated from dental school in 1979, he was offered several opportunities to enter private practice or specialty training. His desire to give something back to a country which he felt had given him so much led him to a commitment to the US Public Health Service. He spent a total of three years with the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma and Penobscot Native Americans in Maine. After an unforgettable experience with extraordinary people, Dr. Welch was honored to be offered a position at the Michael Cardone Sr. School of Dentistry where he was a professor of general dentistry for the next five years.
His desire to return to public service once again called him to the United States Navy where he spent the following eight years serving the needs of active-duty military members. The locations where he served were: Cherry Point Marine Air Station North Carolina, Charleston Naval Station (assigned to the USS Sierra which spent six months in the Mediterranean with the USS Eisenhower carrier group during Desert Shield). He was then transferred to North Island Naval Air Station followed by a promotion to clinic director at Point Loma Submarine Base, California.
Dr. Welch left the United States Navy to pursue a long-standing desire to become a specialist in orthodontics. He spent the next three years as a full time resident at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. He obtained a master’s degree and orthodontic specialty certificate. After completing the Masters program he entered the United States Air Force and served in Germany. Two years later he was appointed chairman of orthodontics at Travis Air Force Base California which involved teaching oral and maxillofacial surgery residents and general dentistry residents orthodontics as it pertains to their patient care. He was then selected to establish the first orthodontic clinic and dental residency program at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. He retired with over 20 years of service and opened his private orthodontic practice (Summerlin location) in Las Vegas in 2005.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science Degree University of Detroit – 1975
Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree University of Detroit – 1979
3 year Orthodontic Specialty Certificate University of Kentucky – 1997
Master of Science Degree University of Kentucky – 1997
American Board of Orthodontics Diplomate – 2004
Certified in Invisalign – 1999
TEACHING
Associate Professor of General Dentistry, Department of Dental Materials, Department of Occlusion and Morphology at Michael Cardone Sr. School of Dentistry
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at David Grant USAF Medical Center
Department of Orthodontics Chief at David Grant USAF Medical Center
Advanced Education in General Dentistry at Michael O’Callaghan USAF Hospital
Department of Orthodontics Chief at Michael O’Callaghan USAF Hospital
Associate Professor Pediatric Dentistry at University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine
Dr. Welch served in the United States Public Health Service, United States Navy, and the United States Air Force. He retired with over 20 years of service.
Dr. Welch currently practices as a board certified orthodontist in Summerlin. The Welch’s have owned a home in Las Vegas since 1997 and are active in the community.
Dr. Welch is a member of the following Organizations:
Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists
Nevada Dental Association
Southern Nevada Dental Society
American Dental Association
American Association of Orthodontists
American Board of Orthodontics
Advisory Board Member – Community College of Nevada Veterinary Technology
In addition to the use of traditional metal braces Dr. Welch also offers tooth colored brackets, gold brackets, low friction brackets, and clear aligners / Invisalign Certified. He has extensive experience with patients requiring jaw surgery with orthodontic treatment.
