Where are they now?

Graduates of the Ohio State University College of Dentistry often become leaders in the field of dentistry. The follow two alumni have each has made an extraordinary impact on the profession.

Gilia Iafolla Rethman, ’74 Dental Hygiene

President, American Dental Hygienists’ Association

Gilia Rethman’s advice to students – really, to all of us – is this: “Keep your mind open. Go out and do everything you possibly can, and make the most of it.”

Her career is a testament to the philosophy she said came from her parents. “My dad always told me I could do and be anything I wanted to be. My mom was an Italian immigrant, and she felt so strongly about the opportunities here. Education was very important to both of them.”

Rethman’s path to an education in dental hygiene wasn’t traditional. “Truthfully, I kind of fell into it,” she said.

While an Ohio State student, she met some dental hygiene students at her part-time job. “They were telling me all kinds of exciting things about what they were learning and planning to do after graduation and I thought, ‘that sounds interesting.’”

Only after she was accepted to the College of Dentistry did she fully understand how exceptional the program was. “I realized I was very fortunate to be there, and I decided that as a professional not only while I was in school but after graduation, I needed to be the best I could be in this field.”

By any account, she has done just that.

“Keep your mind open. Go out and do everything you possibly can, and make the most of it.”

Her husband, College of Dentistry graduate Mike Rethman, ’74 DDS, served for 26 years as a military periodontist. As a result, Gilia practiced full-time in several states, getting her licensure wherever they were stationed. Once the couple settled in Maryland, she decided to look beyond private practice and challenge herself in a new way.

Following her own advice to keep an open mind, Rethman continued her clinical practice part-time while representing dental product companies at dental conventions – a position that eventually lead to her managing a team of such representatives.

She then developed and led educational programs for dental and dental hygiene students. This position contributed to her growth as a speaker and writer.

Now editor-in-chief of the monthly “Dimensions of Dental Hygiene” publication, Rethman has accepted another national leadership role in her profession. She will serve as president of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) for the coming year.

The role is extraordinarily important to the profession of dental hygiene, as it involves representing the profession not only across the U.S., but to a global audience as well.

“When we look at where we are today, as far as communications and outreach and alliances,” she said, “our influence is not just in the U.S. The ADHA is viewed around the world as leading the dental hygiene profession.”

Rethman said she’s excited about the coming year and her work with a national organization like the ADHA, whose goal is to ultimately improve the health of the public.

Looking back to her time at Ohio State and the College of Dentistry she reflects, “If you had told me that I would be speaking and writing and a national leader in my profession, I would’ve looked at you like you had two heads. “You just never know where you may end up.”

Thomas M. Paumier, DDS, FACD, FICD – CoD ‘87

President, Ohio Dental Association

Dr. Thomas Paumier said his education at the College of Dentistry prepared him to not only run his own private practice, but to also make an impact in his community and the larger profession.

“While in dental school, you don’t realize how superb the education is compared to what graduates from some other schools receive,” he said. “Ohio State prepared me both didactically and clinically to be able to provide superb care to a wide patient base.”

Dr. Paumier’s appreciation for the excellence of the College of Dentistry has grown over the years as he has continued to be affiliated with the school in many ways.

When he returned to his hometown of Canton, Ohio to establish a private practice after graduation, he found that five additional College of Dentistry graduates practiced there as well, and they saw each other regularly.

“By far the most critical decision that has enabled my success as a dentist after leaving Ohio State was joining organized dentistry.”

In addition, Dr. Paumier has been able to work directly with College of Dentistry students through his participation with the OHIO Project (Oral Health Improvement through Outreach).

He collaborated with the Stark County Dental Society (SCDS) to establish a general practice residency at Mercy Medical Center in Canton as a means to provide dental services to underserved individuals in the community. That facility also serves as a clinical opportunity for fourth-year College of Dentistry students as part of the OHIO Project, a program which offers clinical opportunities across the state.

In addition to the SCDS, Dr. Paumier has been active with the American Dental Association (ADA), and the Ohio Dental Association (ODA), over which he currently presides.

“By far the most critical decision that has enabled my success as a dentist after leaving Ohio State was joining organized dentistry,” he said. “I quickly realized that while the dental school faculty and my student colleagues were my support system in school, it was organized dentistry that had my back after graduation.”

As president of the Ohio Dental Association, Dr. Paumier’s work reflects his passion for protecting the interests of ODA members and the profession to best serve the needs of patients and the larger community. He has appointed a task force on the future of dentistry in Ohio, as he believes the profession is in transition.

The task force will evaluate the changing practice and reimbursement models, trends in consumer behavior, inter-professional collaboration, and Medicaid.

“We must be the ones who shape the future of our profession,” he said of the task force’s work.

As a leader in the professional dentistry community, Dr. Paumier appreciates the foundation he received at the College of Dentistry.

“My personal belief is that every dentist has an obligation to maintain the highest standards of professionalism as a healthcare provider,” he said.

“Thankfully, that foundation in ethics and integrity is well supported by the curriculum and dedicated faculty at Ohio State.”