Student Profile: Dr. Arghavan Welch

Meet Dr. Arghavan Welch, who graduated from the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences‘ School of Orthodontics’ Advanced Specialty Education Program in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics program on July 10, 2015.

Please describe your educational background including your undergraduate and graduate degrees.

I obtained my undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering and Micro & Molecular Biology from the University of Central Florida. I then pursued my Doctorate of Dental Medicine at Nova Southeastern University. Upon graduating from dental school, I started my orthodontic specialty training as an intern at the University of Florida, Department of Orthodontics before attending Jacksonville University. I recently completed my three-year formal training in orthodontics this July with an advanced graduate certificate degree.

Why did you choose the JU School of Orthodontics?

I have been a Floridian since 1999 and have called this beautiful place “home” after immigrating to the States. In addition to the geographical advantage, upon completion of a one-year training as an orthodontic intern, my goal was to maximize my clinical proficiency by treating a vast array of malocclusions. The number of case starts and finishes that JU offers to its residents rank among the top programs in the country. Above all, JU seemed beyond just a residency. I admired the sense of belonging to an ortho-family and the energetic and exciting environment.

What do you like best about the program?

The mutual respect and professionalism between faculty and students has truly empowered me as I evolve personally and professionally.

What made you choose to pursue a career in orthodontics?

Interesting story! I never thought I would commit to a career in healthcare. Both my parents are engineers and I grew up envisioning a future in engineering. Once I started my first summer internship, I realized I had a different calling. I loved learning and utilizing engineering concepts but desired a career that provided more social interactions. Dentistry was the perfect blend. While shadowing orthodontists during dental school, I realized the same mechanical principles that govern engineering applied to orthodontics. I knew I had found my passion within dentistry.

What do you hope to pursue after graduation?

I am very excited about the prospects of practicing as an orthodontist and a clinician who is intimately involved in the community. On a personal level, I am thrilled to be joining my husband in south Florida and finally end our three-year long distance relationship. My passion in orthodontics stems from the desire to engineer beautiful confident smiles for my patients and transform their facial esthetics.