Host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by American Dental Association (ADA) President Dr. Thomas Paumier for a conversation focused on the work of the ADA and how specialty practitioners can benefit from maintaining a connection with the organization. Speaking to the importance of that connection and teamwork from the AAPD 2026 Annual Session Exhibit Hall Floor, Dr. Paumier shares details of the cohesion between the ADA President and President-Elect as well as his goals for the ADA and its partnership with the AAPD as he ascends to the President role in October 2026.

Guest Bio:

Thomas M. Paumier, D.D.S. is the President-Elect of the American Dental Association (ADA). Dr.

Paumier is a general dentist in private practice in Canton, Ohio.

Dr. Paumier has served the ADA in multiple leadership roles throughout his 35 years of service to the

ADA, most recently as Vice-chair for the Strategic Forecasting Committee and as an Advisor to the ADA

Budget Committee of the Board of Trustees. Previously, he also served as Chair of the Council on

Members Insurance and Retirement Programs, and the Board of Trustees Committee on Budget and

Finance. He was on the ADA Covid Recovery Task Force and has served on two Council on Scientific

Affairs expert panels which developed clinical practice guidelines related to antibiotic use.

Within the Ohio Dental Association, Dr. Paumier has held several key positions, including Treasurer and

President. He served as Chair of the Annual Sessions Committee and as Chair of the ODA Services

Corporation and as the current Chair of the Ohio Dental Association Wellness Trust. He is a past president of the Stark County Dental Society in Ohio.

Dr. Paumier is a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists and the

Pierre Fauchard Academy and involved in numerous organizations. He is the Chair of the Cleveland

Clinic Mercy Hospital Board of Trustees, and a past Chair of the Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital

Development Foundation. He is on the faculty of the “Thomas M. Paumier DDS General Practice

Residency” at Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital and also lectures at Case Western School of Dental

Medicine and the NEOMED Bitonte College of Dentistry in Ohio.

Dr. Paumier earned his D.D.S. from Ohio State University College of Dentistry and resides in Canton with

his wife Christy.

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In this episode of little teeth BIG Smiles, Dr. Joel Berg sits down with Dr. Ann Bynum to explore what it takes to build a strong, thriving pediatric dental practice. From the power of language and creating a true team culture to transparency, mentorship, shared decision-making and fostering a growth mindset, Dr. Bynum shares practical insights from her years of experience as a practice owner, mentor and leader. The conversation offers valuable advice for pediatric dentists at every stage of their careers, discussing how to bring new doctors and team members into the culture, create clear expectations and build systems that support long-term success.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Ann Bynum is a board-certified pediatric dentist originally from Ocala, Florida. She completed her undergraduate studies at Florida State University before earning her dental degree from the University of Iowa, where she met her husband, Dr. Matt Bynum. She went on to complete her specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio.

In 1997, Dr. Bynum moved to Greenville, South Carolina, and opened her pediatric dental practice in Simpsonville. As a mother of three boys, she brings both professional expertise and personal insight to her care—deeply understanding the art and science of pediatric dentistry and parenting.

Dr. Bynum is a Diplomate and examiner of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD) and an active member of several professional organizations, including the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry (SSPD), the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), and the American Dental Association (ADA). She currently serves as the Southeastern Trustee for the AAPD.

A passionate educator and leader, Dr. Bynum has lectured nationally and authored numerous articles on topics such as customer service, marketing, leadership, teamwork, burnout, financial wellness, and pediatric airway health—including tethered oral tissues and sleep-disordered breathing.

Outside of dentistry, Dr. Bynum enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband. She is especially passionate about working on her practice—focusing on growth, systems, and team development.

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Dr. Bobby Elliott returns to the podcast to chat about burnout as it relates to patient and practice management and education. He and Dr. Berg talk through solutions focused on his mantra – “Educate, don’t convince.” – that support office culture and patient/family satisfaction and trust. Dr. Elliott shares his tools for identifying work/life imbalance and building connection and investment in one another.

Guest Bio:

Dr. Bobby Elliott is from Louisville, Kentucky where he graduated from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry. His pediatric dental residency was completed at the UNC School of Dentistry and UNC Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill. Dr. Elliott is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and was an Adjunct Clinical Professor at both the University of North Carolina and University of Louisville Schools of Dentistry. 

Dr. Elliott lectures throughout the year to other dentists, specialists, dental team members and residents about positive office culture. In his “not so much free time”, he has founded his own pediatric dental consulting business, Pedo Springboard, Inc. to help residents and pediatric dentists successfully start their own practice. He also has co-founded a second consulting business, Pediatric Dental Directions, to help private practitioners establish legacy leadership and a positive work culture. 

 Dr. Elliott is a recognized authority on the development of creative and innovative office designs for pediatric dental practices and is often called upon to consult with new office construction as well as dental team development and practice. He works with his best friend & partner and 14 rockstar TEAM members and has been in private practice for 28 years in Cary, NC. 

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