Meet The DOM Team!

We invite you to get to know us and we would love the opportunity to get to know you!

Dentists

Dr. James Samford

Dentist

I am fortunate to have been born and raised in the Birmingham area. I graduated from Mountain Brook High School and then attended Auburn University where I finished my undergraduate studies with a degree in Zoology. I received my Doctorate of Dental Medicine at UAB in 2004.

Having a father who is a dentist exposed me to the dental field at a very early age. I spent many summers working in his office while growing up, which left me to my own pursuit of the dental profession. The best advice I was given during that time was to treat each patient as if he or she was a family member. Now with many years of private practice experience, that ethical standard has been ingrained in me. Our team excels in educating our patients about all their treatment options and then helping them to make a decision based on what is best for their particular situation. Our office has a family atmosphere and we love building lasting relationships with our patients.

The most rewarding part of dentistry for me is changing smiles. I love converting the patient who is too afraid to smile into a patient who can’t wait to smile. We have many options in dentistry now that can assist in a total smile transformation.

I met my wife in 2000 during my first year of dental school. She was a first year optometry student at the time. We were married in 2005 and are now proud parents of our daughter Cameron and our son Winn. We love to travel and spend time at the lake or the beach as often as we can. I enjoy golf, fishing, music and sports in my free time.

Dr. Payne Jennings

Dentist

Dr. Jennings was born and raised in Montgomery, AL. He completed his undergraduate studies at Auburn University. After graduating summa cum laude with a degree in Biomedical Sciences, he chose to stay close to home and attend the UAB School of Dentistry where he received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree.

After dental school, Dr. Jennings completed the Birmingham VA advanced education in general dentistry program which provided knowledge in implant placement and restoration. The program also had an emphasis on comprehensive care and provided the opportunity to learn from other dental specialists.

His wife, Mary Coleman, is a nurse. They welcomed their first child, Emmy, in 2022. They enjoy getting outdoors with their dog Sully and watching Auburn football.

Dr. Michelle Abouhaidar

Dentist

Dr. Michelle is an Alabama-native who was born and raised in the Birmingham area. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and went on to earn her doctorate from UAB’s School of Dentistry in 2019.

After dental school, she continued her education at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences where she completed a General Practice Residency. During her time in Little Rock, Dr. Michelle received advanced training in many areas of general dentistry including endodontics, implantology and treating medically compromised patients.

In her free time, Dr. Michelle has made it her mission to visit all fifty states. Her favorite travel adventure so far has been to Cape Cod, Massachusetts! She also loves to cook new recipes and spend time with her family and friends.

Dr. Nicole LeMaitre

Dentist

Dr. Nicole LeMaitre is a native of Mobile where she still returns regularly to visit with family on both sides of the Mobile Bay. She is a graduate of Birmingham-Southern College, earning her bachelor of science before making the move to Tennessee with her husband, Andrew. University of Tennessee College of Dentistry is her dental alma mater.

Dr. LeMaitre found that she enjoyed so many aspects of dentistry while in school she chose not to specialize. Dr. LeMaitre aims to educate and care for her patients with a high level of professionalism and integrity. She loves everything from extracting a hopeless tooth to small esthetic procedures that help patients smile more confidently.

Dr. LeMaitre and her husband have three young children and two rescue pets. They enjoy family endeavors, such as sports and kids activities, as well as gardening, home projects and travel. They are happy to have called Birmingham home for ten years and counting.