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. Claire Leverton

Dentist

Dr. Leverton is thrilled to bring her passion for dental health to the team at Double Oak Mountain Family Dentistry. Originally from Pell City, Alabama, Dr. Leverton grew up in a dental family—inspired by her father’s career—and is proud to continue that legacy of community-focused care.

After graduating summa cum laude from the University of Alabama, she earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from the UAB School of Dentistry in 2015. To further refine her skills, Dr. Leverton completed an advanced General Practice Residency at Palmetto Health Richland Memorial Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, gaining extensive training in complex restorative and general dentistry.

Dr. Leverton believes that a healthy smile is the foundation for overall wellness. She works hard to create an inviting, family-friendly environment, delivering compassionate, modern care to patients of all ages.

Dr. Leverton is an avid weekend warrior who loves home improvement and spending time outside. Above all, she loves spending downtime with her fiancé, Micah, their busy household of four, plus their Labradoodle, Tux—whether they are tackling projects around the house or out exploring with the kids.

Dr. Joseph Upton

Dentist

Growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, Dr. Upton always knew he wanted to be in some form of medicine, and that he wanted his career to be built around people — actually getting to know the patients sitting in the chair. Dentistry gave him that. After graduating summa cum laude from the University of Mississippi, Dr. Upton earned his DMD from the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He spent time practicing in Nashville, TN before he and his wife Ann McQueen made their way to Birmingham to be close to her family.

Dr. Upton‘s approach is straightforward: he listens first. Every patient who walks through the door has different needs, different concerns, and a different story — and it’s his job to understand all of that before ever starting a treatment plan. His goal is always to give you a personalized plan — not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Outside the office, you‘ll probably find Dr. Upton on a hiking trail, on the golf course, or hunting — anything that gets him outdoors. He’s had the privilege of doing dental mission work in Peru, and that experience shapes how he thinks about this work every single day.

Dr. Upton believes everyone deserves a dentist they actually trust. He’d love the chance to earn yours.