The ADA House of Delegates elected Thomas Paumier as president-elect, Ben Youel as second vice president, and Debra Schmit Peters as speaker.

Thomas M. Paumier, DDS (pictured), a general dentist from Canton, Ohio, has been elected president-elect of the American Dental Association (ADA). The election took place during the ADA House of Delegates Meeting on October 27 in Washington, DC.

Longtime ADA Involvement

Paumier has been active in the ADA for over 35 years. He has chaired the ADA Strategic Forecasting Committee’s Public/Professional Subcommittee and the Council on Members Insurance and Retirement Programs. His contributions include serving on expert panels that developed clinical guidelines on antibiotic use and participating in the COVID Recovery Task Force. Over the years, Paumier has worked with multiple ADA committees, subcommittees, and task forces.

Statement on Vision and Priorities

“I love our profession and the ADA, and I’m passionate about its success,” said Paumier. “I have a vision for what the ADA should look like and how to remain a sustainable organization. We must focus on the needs of members and helping practice owners and employed dentists with challenging insurance issues, including contracts supportive of a healthy work environment and autonomy in all clinical decision making.”

Leadership Roles in Ohio

In Ohio, Paumier has held leadership positions within the Ohio Dental Association (ODA), including president from 2014-2015. He currently serves as president of the ODA Wellness Trust Board. He is also involved with the American College of Dentists as vice chair of the Ohio section and has been recognized by multiple dental organizations.

Broader Organizational Involvement

Paumier chairs the Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital Board of Trustees and the Mercy Medical Center Development Foundation Board Endowment Committee. He is a member of the Cleveland Clinic Ohio Regional Hospitals Board of Directors Executive Committee and serves on the Procter and Gamble Global Oral Health Systemic Health Advisory Board.

Education and Academic Involvement

Paumier earned his dental degree from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry and completed a general practice residency at St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center. He runs a private practice in Canton and is on the faculty at Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital’s General Practice Residency. He also teaches at Case Western School of Dental Medicine and lectures nationally.

Commitment to ADA’s Future

“My leadership and vision have been demonstrated throughout my service to the ADA,” Paumier added. “Together we can better meet the needs of our members and build a strong foundation for the next generation of dentists.”

Filling Out the Officer Slate for 2025‑2026

Ben Youel, DDS, of Grayslake, Ill, was elected second vice president of the ADA. Youel has served on the ADA Finance Committee, Council on Membership, New Dentist Committee and Council on Scientific Affairs. He graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry.

Debra Schmit Peters, DDS, of Grand Rapids, Mich, was elected speaker of the ADA House of Delegates. Peters is a past speaker of the house and past president of the Michigan Dental Association. She served as chair of the ADA Council on Membership and the Council on Ethics, Bylaws & Judicial Affairs and is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry.

Photo: ADA