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.
Why Dental Photography Is Essential in Modern Dental Practice
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Variolink Esthetic System Review
By: Dr. James Wanamaker When I became a dental practice owner, one of my goals was to…
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…
Efficiency of Chlorhexidine Varnish for Tissue Management
By: Lee Ann Brady DMDTopic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Chlorhexidine has had a wide range of uses in dentistry for many years, including maintaining tissue health during periodontal therapy, reducing the risk of caries, and minimizing sensitivity. Along with the positive effects it has,…
Dental Insurance Fee Negotiation Process & Why Hire an Expert
By: Angela Holland Negotiating PPO fees is a crucial yet often overlooked step in maximizing your dental practice’s financial success. Done correctly, PPO fee negotiations can significantly increase insurance collections—without requiring more patients, additional treatments, or increased marketing costs. While the process can take anywhere from 9 to 18 months, the results are well worth…
You’re A Practice Owner…How Should You Hire an Associate?
By: Dr. Kaufman I have had at least one associate sometimes two over the last 16 years. I was an associate and that was almost 30 years ago. Here is my take, if you are the practice owner you need to be comfortable sharing your practice. Why Not Have An Associate? Some docs I know…
Dental Microscope: When We See Better, We Can Do Better
By: Michelle Lee, DDSTopic originally appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Lee granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Today, we have an abundance of restorative materials at our fingertips. Accurate case planning involves realizing the potential of digital design and precision-based dentistry to efficiently provide the best possible restorative care. My attitude to dentistry…
Stop the Chaos: How Accountability Transforms Your Dental Practice from Stressful to Profitable
By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Practice Coach + Director of Operations IgniteDDS As a dentist and business owner, you’re not just responsible for patient care—you’re responsible for building a successful practice. A well-run dental office doesn’t happen by chance. It’s built on systems, structure, and accountability. Without clear expectations for each team member, inefficiencies, miscommunication, and…
Together We Rise
By: Dr. Savanah Craig “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” I have always believed Dentistry is a Team Sport. As dentists, practice owners, partners, etc., we are only as strong as the members of our team, and we cannot do it all on our own….
The Link Between Glycemic Index and Oral Health: Understanding How You Eat Affects Your Health
By: Michael Eid Since childhood, we’ve been taught one simple rule: candy causes cavities (also known as caries). It seems logical—something sugary and sticky clings to your teeth and “eats away” at the tooth structure. However, the process behind this is more complex than it appears. The connection between diet and dental caries lies in…
Maximizing Profitability with Dental Insurance Waivers & Upgraded Fee Agreements
By: Angela Holland In the competitive world of dentistry, practices are constantly looking for ways to increase profitability while maintaining high standards of patient care. One strategy that is gaining traction is the use of dental insurance waivers and upgraded fee agreements. These tools not only help boost revenue but also improve patient satisfaction by…
Help! My Dental Assistant Always Questions Me in Front of My Patients
By: Ronda Holman As a dentist, maintaining confidence and authority in front of your patients is essential. But what happens when your dental assistant questions you during an appointment sometimes in a way that undermines your expertise? While it’s great to have a team that thinks critically, in-chair debates can create discomfort for both you…
Restoring Undersized & Peg Laterals: No Tooth Prep Needed
By: Lee Ann Brady DMDTopic originally appeared on PankeyGram.Org, Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. A small lateral incisor is not always called a peg lateral. When I say peg lateral, I visualize it as a size like the fixture with implant abutment. Meanwhile, most of the time we have…