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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Essential KPIs for Start-Up Dental Practices

By Dawn Patrick | December 16, 2024

By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Coach and Director of Operations, IgniteDDS Tracking and measuring KPIs in your dental practice isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for growth and sustainability. By focusing on key metrics like new patient acquisition, retention rates, and production efficiency, you can identify areas for improvement and drive your practice toward success. Let…

4 Main Reasons I Always Use Desensitizers Before Tooth Prep

By Dr. Lee Ann Brady | December 13, 2024

By: Lee Ann Brady DMDTopic Originally Appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. One of the most common questions I get is about the use of a category of materials we refer to as desensitizers, prep scrubs, or prep wetting agents.  The question is usually do they actually…

Crafting Cohesion: The Crucial Elements of Team Building in Dentistry with Dr. Chad Duplantis

By Chad Duplantis, D.D.S, F.A.G.D | December 11, 2024

Host: Dr. Tanya Sue MaestasGuest:  Dr. Chad DuplantisEdited By: Candy Velez CRDH Building a successful dental practice extends beyond clinical excellence; it thrives on cultivating a cohesive team that fully embraces the practice’s vision and culture. In a podcast with Dr. Chad Duplantis, he shares his experiences and insights on team dynamics, highlighting the challenges…

Discipline & Accountability: The Key to a High-Performing Dental Team

By Dawn Patrick | December 9, 2024

By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Coach and Director of Operations, IgniteDDS In today’s competitive dental industry, delivering top-quality care to patients requires more than clinical expertise. It requires a cohesive, disciplined, and accountable team that works seamlessly together to achieve the practice’s goals. Teams that embrace these values not only provide exceptional patient experiences but also…

Complete Examinations in Dentistry

By Dr. Leonard Hess, DDS | December 6, 2024

By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThe Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com. Dr. Hess granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran in the dental industry or just starting on your journey, one thing is for sure: complete examinations have become a cornerstone of modern dentistry….

New Year’s Resolutions for Dentists: Get a Head Start Before the Year’s End

By Todd Doobrow, CFP | December 4, 2024

By: Todd Doobrow, CFP As the year winds down and we gear up for the holidays, many of us start thinking about New Year’s resolutions. For dentists, this is a great time to reflect on personal and professional goals, especially since the final weeks of the year can often be the most hectic. Instead of…

Dental Phobia & Anxiety: Helping Patients Overcome

By Savanah Craig | December 2, 2024

By: Dr. Savanah Craig A phobia is defined as an intense, irrational, and persistent fear of a specific object, situation, or activity that poses little to no actual danger. Fear of the dentist or dental phobia is no different and, in my experience, most patients know that their fears are irrational. However, the intensity of…

Meeting Patient Expectations in Dentistry

By Dr. Kelley Brummett, DMD | November 29, 2024

By: Kelley Brummett DMDThis topic originally appeared on Pankey.org. Dr. Brummett granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Meeting patients’ expectations requires excellent communication and understanding of their desires to look at what you can do to solve their problems. Once you understand their expectations, you will know which of the treatment plans…

Patient-Friendly Language: Explaining Treatment Plans without Jargon 

By Dawn Patrick | November 27, 2024

By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Coach and Director of Operations, IgniteDDS As dental professionals, one of the greatest challenges we face is explaining complex treatment plans to patients in a way that is clear and approachable. Often, our expertise can lead us to use industry-specific terminology that can confuse or even overwhelm patients. When patients don’t…

Help…My Dental Assistant Breaks Stuff!

By Ronda Holman | November 25, 2024

By: Ronda Holman As a dentist, you know how quickly the cost of running a dental office can add up. From high-tech dental equipment to everyday tools, every piece plays an essential role in delivering quality care. But what happens when you notice a pattern of things breaking—and it’s often the same person involved? Take…