Firsts
We are the first to admit that when someone gets too big for their britches, they usually bend over and expose things that are better off remaining covered! However, there are several things “First” we would like to share about our practice.
FIRST DUAL DEGREE SURGEON
Dr. Welch was the first dual degree (medical and dental degree) Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon in the Eugene/Springfield area when he opened his practice in 1996. While an Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon can practice with a dental degree and additional residency specialization, Dr. Welch went back to medical school after his initial training to broaden his perspective. One of Dr. Welch’s brothers is an account and liked to tease him about the true financial cost of leaving his paying job and paying tuition again, to complete medical school! Dr. Welch thinks to this day that it was one of the best decisions he ever made as it helps him keep the big picture in mind when caring for his patients. If you want to read more about Dr Welch please click on the who we are link to the left and then on meet Dr. Welch.
FIRST EDUCATIONAL STUDY CLUB DIRECTOR
Dr. Welch was the first to start a branch of the Seattle Study Club, a club dedicated to excellence in patient care and comprehensive treatment planning. Starting with a small group of about 14 dentists in 1997 the club (called “Exploring Excellence”) grew annually to the current membership of 70+ professionals. Dr Welch says that when he left his teaching position at Loma Linda University to enter private practice, he was afraid his knowledge base would deteriorate. Determined to keep his skills and knowledge base as sharp as possible, he now brings in nationally and internationally renowned speakers to Eugene nine months of the year. He says if he even just learns one thing from each speaker, he is nine times smarter at the end of the year! He also says he likes sleeping in his own bed at night instead of some airport hotel! If you would like to learn more about the Exploring Excellence Study Club click on for doctors and then study club link on the left of this screen.
FIRST IN 3 DIMENSIONAL CONE BEAM TOMOGRAPHY
Another interesting first was the application of 3 dimensional scanning for Oral and Maxillofacial surgeries. In 2004, Dr Welch purchased the 20th machine available from Imaging Sciences International to diagnosis and treat his patients. While the rest of the world was waking to the incredible benefits of working not just in two dimensions (which surgeons and dentists had used since the advent of radiography) but to see three dimensionally, Dr. Welch and his team were making huge advances in the care of their patients. The biggest advantage he saw for his patients was a decrease in the amount of bone grafting that he offered for his implant patients. Dr Welch jokes that he knows more about bone grafting than he does his wife and he loves his wife very much! With the ability to measure to a fraction of a millimeter, he found less of patients needed bone grafting. The immediate benefit to the patient was quicker treatment and lower costs. The benefit to Dr. Welch was the security in knowing the implant was in the proper place and away from important anatomical structures. If you are interested in reading more about 3-D imaging find the I-CAT imaging link on the left side of the screen.
FIRST IN BIKING TO WORK
Just kidding! There is no award for this, but Dr. Welch loves to bike to and from work in the good weather. He says the mental health and cardio workout are “priceless”!