Dr. Welk is  a native Oregonian.  He attended the University of Oregon, graduating Cum Laude with department honors in Science and Phi Beta Kappa distinctions.  He also received a minor in Music while earning a full music scholarship. 

He completed his doctor of dental medicine degree (D.M.D.) at the Oregon Health Sciences University School of Dentistry 1998, graduating with High Honors.  Following his dental degree, he completed a general practice residency at the OHSU Hospital Dental Service 1999 in Portland, Oregon.

Dr. Welk returned to the dental school following his hospital residency to complete a fellowship in the Department of Endodontics 2000 which he spent a year on the faculty teaching dental students and performing research.  Dr. Welk received his Specialty Certificate in Endodontics from the Oregon Health Sciences University in 2002. 

He is a diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics.

Dr. Welk's professional memberships include the American Association of Endodontists, the American Dental Association, the Oregon Dental Association, the Oregon State Association of Endodontists, the Clackamas County Dental Society, and the Sunset Oral Surgery Study Club.

Dr. Welk is a past president of the Oregon State Association of Endodontists, and past president of the Clackamas County Dental Society.

Dr. Welk works closely with your general dentist to ensure the best possible solution to restoring your damaged tooth to normal function and esthetics.  It is important that you know all of the options.  Sometimes the best option is a root canal procedure followed by a filling and/or crown.  Sometimes extraction of a tooth and consideration of the area for a dental implant is needed.  At Cascade Endodontics, we will take time to explain to you the options best for you.