James Wanamaker

James Wanamaker

Dr. James Wanamaker earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from SUNY Buffalo School of Dental Medicine in 2016 with a concentration in pediatric dentistry.

While at Buffalo, he served in multiple roles in organized dentistry, including the National Chair of the Council on Advocacy for the American Student Dental Association (ASDA).

Following dental school, he then completed a General Practice Residency at SUNY Upstate Hospital and the Syracuse VA Hospital. He has completed additional training at the Dawson Academy, Invisalign, and surgical implant placement at the Brighterway Institute. Dr. Wanamaker is a partner in his dream private practice, Smiles of Skaneateles, located outside of Syracuse, NY.

Dr. Wanamaker began working with IgniteDDS as a 3rd-year dental student. Since then, he has spoken at dental schools and conferences across the country on interview skills and finding your ideal private practice.

He is heavily involved in organized dentistry on a local, state, and national level. Dr. Wanamaker currently serves as the Chair of the New Dentist Committee for the New York State Dental Association. In 2020 Dr. Wanamaker was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Dentists.

Fellows have exemplified excellence through outstanding leadership and exceptional contributions to dentistry and society and only 3% of dentists are Fellows. Dr. Wanamaker resides in Upstate New York with his wife, Francesca, their young daughter, and Goldendoodle, Chewbacca.

dental photography

Why Dental Photography Is Essential in Modern Dental Practice

By: James Wanamaker, DDS – IgniteDDS Clinical Coach In my private practice centered on esthetics and function,…

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Variolink Esthetic System Review

Variolink Esthetic System Review

By: Dr. James Wanamaker When I became a dental practice owner, one of my goals was to…

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Direct Restorative Workflow Kit from Ivoclar

Systems & Simplicity: Two Words that Come to Mind When Working with the Direct Restorative Workflow Kit from Ivoclar

By: Dr. James Wanamaker I have been a fan of Ivoclar products since I was a student…

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Correcting Patients’ F & V Sounds During Restorative Dental Treatment

By Dr. Lee Ann Brady | October 27, 2025

By: Lee Ann Brady, DMDThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Brady granted igniteDDS permission to share with our readers. Following on the last article about correcting the S sound, I want to take a look at two other phonetically similar sounds, F and V, that affect our restorative dental treatment results. The good news is that…

From Scramble to Strategy: Making Q4 Your Most Profitable Quarter

By Dawn Patrick | October 27, 2025

By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Business Coach and Director of Operations, IgniteDDS  Every fall, dental practices face the same challenge: by the time they remember that October through December holds the highest patient demand, half the opportunity is gone. With September behind us, now is the moment to get intentional. Why? Because Q4 is where patient momentum…

🦷🎃 Spooktacular Smiles: Fun Ways to Celebrate Halloween in the Office

By Sable Muntean | October 20, 2025

By: Dr. Sable Muntean Costume ideas, decorating tips, and candy alternatives to keep it dental-friendly! Halloween is a favorite time of year for patients and dental teams alike, a perfect excuse to add a little fun (and maybe a few cobwebs) to your workday! Between the costumes, décor, and community spirit, this spooky season is…

Correcting Patients’ S Sound During Restorative Dental Treatment

By Dr. Lee Ann Brady | October 20, 2025

By: Lee Ann Brady, DMDThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Patients produce the S sound by creating a small airspace between their upper and lower incisors, and there are three common ways this happens:  In each case, the ideal space for producing the S…

3 Simple PPO Revenue Optimization Tips Every Practice Should Know

By Angela Holland | October 20, 2025

By: Angela Holland, Founder of Preferred Dental SolutionsInsurance Expert and Strategy Consultant for Dental PracticesPreferredDentalSolutions.com Dentistry is a business of both skill and strategy. Delivering excellent care is non-negotiable, but maximizing what you’re paid for that care requires an intentional approach to PPO management.  Here are three powerful ways to optimize your revenue from a…

Tofflemire vs. Palodent: Why Your Contacts Will Suck…at First

By Michael Eid | October 13, 2025

By: Michael Eid Your first few Class II restorations will probably have open contacts, flat contours, or a ridge you’ll want to cry over. That’s normal. Getting good proximal contacts isn’t just about packing composite; it’s about mastering your matrix system. Here’s what I learned the hard way.  1. Tofflemire Feels Safe: But It Lies to…

Seasonal Nutrition for Busy Dental Teams

By Sable Muntean | October 13, 2025

By: Dr. Sable Muntean Fueling Long Clinic Days with Fall Flavors The fall season invites cozy sweaters, crunchy leaves, and pumpkin‐spiced treats. For dental professionals juggling back-to-back appointments, administrative tasks, and patient care, it’s all too easy to let nutrition slip. But fueling your body well is one of the best investments you can make,…

Ergonomic Loupes: Improve Vision and Extend Your Dental Career 

By Dr. Lee Ann Brady | October 13, 2025

By: Lee Ann Brady, DMDThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. As a dentist, I’ve always been dedicated to providing the best possible care for my patients. But over the years, I realized that I needed to prioritize my own well-being as well. One area…

Paying Off Student Loans Early vs. Investing: A Smart Strategy

By Todd Doobrow, CFP | October 13, 2025

By: Todd Doobrow, CFP As a dentist, you’ve likely emerged from dental school with some amount of student loan burden. According to the ADA, the average dental school graduate owes over $290,000 in student loans. Faced with this debt, many dentists debate taking one of two actions, often based solely on the actions their peers…

Fall Into Balance: How Dentists Can Recharge This Season

By Sable Muntean | October 6, 2025

By: Dr. Sable Muntean As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, fall brings a gentle reminder that it’s okay to slow down. For dentists, who often spend long hours focusing on precision, patient care, and practice demands, the idea of slowing down can feel foreign, or even impossible. But just as…