Our Century-Long Story – Tompkins Family Dental Group

In 1920, Charles B. Freeman, a recent graduate of the Chicago College of Dentistry (which evolved into the University of Illinois school of Dentistry) came to Aurora and began practicing general dentistry under the name of Charles B. Freeman, D.D.S. In 1952, Dr. Theodore J. Pauly joined his father-in-law, Dr. Freeman, in the Aurora National Bank Building.

Together they practiced general dentistry until 1964 when the practice moved to its current location in the Aurora Dental Arts Building. Dr. Freeman retired that year and Dr. Theodore J. Pauly continued the practice of general dentistry alone until 1977, when his son, James C. Pauly, D.D.S., joined him.

Five years later in 1982 Dr. James and Theodore Pauly joined forces with Dr. Thomas Spinozzi and took over our current space at the Aurora Dental Arts Building. In 2008 Dr. Theodore Pauly retired from practice.

In 2009, Dr. T.L. Spinozzi retired from the practice.

Tompkins Family Dental Group has always believed in delivering top quality dental care with a genuine emphasis on the well-being of our patients. We have always strived to provide the best “patient first” dental care we can, while utilizing state of the art equipment and techniques.

After 40 years+ in our current office, Dr. Pauly has maintained the same philosophy going back over 98 years. It was integral for Dr. Pauly to find a dentist who adheres to the same philosophy and beliefs in dentistry that has been delivered in this practice for almost a century.

Dr. Jim Pauly did not find the perfect fit until 2018 when he found Dr. Tania Tompkins, DDS, MPH. He deemed her the appropriate successor to his family’s life work: Pauly Family Dental Group. He has officially passed the torch to Dr. Tompkins and knows the practice is in the right hands.

The legacy of Pauly Family Dental Group proudly continues today, known by its new name Tompkins Family Dental Group, practicing patient care to the Aurora community with the same integrity and quality that we have provided for almost a century now— and happily for even more decades to come!

Affiliate Organizations

• ADA- American Dental Association
• ISDS- Illinois State Dental Society
• FRVDS- Fox River Valley Dental Society
• CDS- Associate Member of the Chicago Dental Society
• ADS- Aurora Dental Society

Our Community Roots

The Tompkins Family Dental Group has roots going back almost a century in the Aurora community. During this time, family dental care has evolved significantly. In the early days, dentists mainly provided emergency care to people in immediate need. Today, comprehensive dental care involves a group of Doctors, who cannot only deal with dental emergencies of all kinds, but who also address every aspect of your dental needs.

Our dentists take pride in a progressive approach that utilizes all the most advanced equipment and techniques to provide our family of patients the most advanced, efficient, evidence-based and comfortable care possible. If you have an urgent issue, orthodontic challenges, pediatric or adult need, require restorative treatment, or are interested in smile design, let us assist you.

Tompkins Family Dental Group is here to serve you. Please feel free to come in for an office tour and meet our friendly and professional team. Come see how dentistry with a personal touch makes you feel like a part of our family!