Dr. Azari is passionate about routine oral surgeries, such as the removal of wisdom teeth and placement of dental implants, as well as complex reconstructive needs such as bone or tissue grafting, surgery for orthodontics, and orthognathic (jaw) surgery for the correction of underbites, overbites, and open bites, breathing disorders including obstructive sleep apnea, and facial proportions.

In pursuit of these, he began his post-collegiate education after moving from Gainesville, FL (University of Florida) to the Northwest. In Portland, he trained under an incredible cadre of oral and maxillofacial surgeons at OHSU, Legacy Emanuel, and Providence hospitals. Following this six-year residency, he traveled to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in Melbourne, Australia, gaining another lifetime’s worth of experience in fellowship training.

On returning to Oregon, Dr. Azari joined the practice in Bend and has continued over a decade of practice as a surgeon on the cleft lip and palate team at the Shriners Hospital in Portland, OR. He is involved in teaching residents and is part of an interdisciplinary team accredited by the ACPA. As part of the Shriners mission, he has formed relationships with doctors and orthodontists from Wyoming to Alaska and everywhere in between.

In our community, he is the Division Chief of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery as well as Facial Trauma Surgery at St. Charles Hospital. This commitment and passion, as with cleft surgery, is supported by Bluebird Oral Surgery’s dedication to community involvement and keeps specialized skills honed for complex cases.

Dr. Azari lives in Bend with his wife and two children, and like you, they love living in this outdoor wonderland. You can find them walking, biking, or swimming around town — proud to be part of this community!

Dr. Welch is a highly skilled and compassionate oral surgeon at Bluebird Oral Surgery. He earned undergraduate and graduate degrees, along with two minor courses of study, from Brigham Young University, where he developed a deep foundation in the sciences and humanities.

While in dental school at NYU, he served on the dean’s council and was president of his dental school class. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the University of Texas at the Texas Medical Center, graduating with honors in oral surgery and anesthesia.

He completed two surgery internships and residency training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, refining his surgical skills and specializing in a broad range of procedures, including dental implants, jaw surgery, wisdom teeth extractions, and reconstruction.

As chief resident, Dr. Welch led with empathy, precision, and a commitment to the highest standard of care — overseeing complex surgical cases, mentoring junior residents, and ensuring that every patient received compassionate, individualized treatment. He is known for listening attentively, providing clear explanations, and supporting patients through every step of their surgical journey.

Dr. Welch has contributed to research publications and is dedicated to staying at the forefront of oral surgery through ongoing education and collaboration with leading professionals in the field. His meticulous attention to detail, calm demeanor, and patient-focused approach have earned him the respect of both colleagues and patients.

Outside of his professional life, Dr. Welch’s greatest joy comes from his family. His highest love is for his wife and twin sons, who provide constant inspiration and balance and remind him of the importance of compassion, patience, and love in both his personal and professional life.

He also enjoys a variety of outdoor activities, including SCUBA diving, aviation, hiking, and skiing. He has a passion for craftsmanship and enjoys building hand-made kayaks and airplanes, combining his creativity with his love for nature and adventure.

Dr. Mark Schlam was raised in Lexington, Massachusetts, where he learned to love the outdoors in all seasons. His childhood was spent hiking, skiing, and exploring the mountains and coastline of New England. After high school, Dr. Schlam received his B.A. from Yale University. At Yale, he was a 4-year letterman on the varsity lacrosse team. During his undergraduate training, Dr. Schlam gained his EMT certification and valuable experience managing emergency situations.

Dr. Schlam obtained his dental degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, where he was awarded a Health Professions Scholarship from the United States Army. In dental school he served as an academic tutor to his peers, a teaching assistant in Oral Surgery, and a BLS instructor. At Tufts, Dr. Schlam was selected to participate in a mission trip, traveling to rural regions of the Dominican Republic to provide surgical services to local communities.

After dental school, Dr. Schlam became an active duty Army officer and completed the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency training program at Womack Army Medical Center in Fort Bragg, NC. He trained extensively in facial reconstruction, dental implant therapy, advanced bone grafting techniques, anesthesia, orthognathic surgery, cosmetic surgery, and trauma. He has a special interest in complex full-mouth dental rehabilitation and enjoys working closely with his restorative colleagues.

Dr. Schlam places patient safety and comfort as his top priorities and strives to provide a positive experience for all of his patients.

In his free time, Dr. Schlam enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children, and finding fun places to mountain bike, surf, race triathlons, and snowboard.