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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Daily Dental Practice Routines That Lead to Long-Term Success 

By Dawn Patrick | October 30, 2024

By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Coach and Director of Operations, IgniteDDS  Running a successful dental practice requires more than just clinical skills. It takes effective daily routines, attention to detail, strong leadership, and a commitment to patient care. By establishing consistent routines that promote efficiency, patient satisfaction, and team well-being, you can build a practice that…

Help…My Dental Assistant is Always On Their Personal Cell Phone While On the Clock

By Ronda Holman | October 28, 2024

Tackling Cell Phone Distractions in the Dental Office By: Ronda Holman Dr. Smith is preparing to see her next patient, but as she heads toward the operatory, she notices the patient has not yet been seated. Curious about the delay, she checks the sterilization area and finds her dental assistant scrolling through social media on…

Top Phone Greeting Tips for Dental Practices

By Dr. Leonard Hess, DDS | October 25, 2024

By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson AcademyThe Article Originally Appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com In today’s competitive dental market, creating a lasting first impression is more important than ever. One of the simplest yet most effective ways to do this is through an excellent phone greeting. Dental practices, often preoccupied with patient care and…

Time to Look Beyond Index Funds

By Todd Doobrow, CFP | October 23, 2024

By: Todd Doobrow, CFP Index funds have gained immense popularity in recent years, often lauded for their low fees, diversification, and ease of use. However, while they offer a straightforward investment strategy, it may be time for investors to consider alternatives that may provide enhanced returns, tailored strategies, and unique opportunities. Why Look Beyond Index Funds?…

Preventing Burnout: How to Maintain Engagement & Discipline in Your Dental Team

By Dawn Patrick | October 21, 2024

By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Coach and Director of Operations, IgniteDDS  In today’s demanding dental environment, burnout among dental professionals is increasingly common. As a dental leader, your team’s well-being is essential to the long-term success of your practice. Burnout impacts not only productivity but also patient care, team morale, and retention. Maintaining engagement and discipline…

Active Listening Tips For Patient-Centered Care

By Dr. Bill Gregg, DDS | October 18, 2024

By: Dr. Bill Gregg DDSThis topic originally appeared on Pankey.org. Dr. Gregg granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. The first step towards becoming a great clinician, who can diagnose and treat diseases is becoming an active listener. Usually, the most important things you need to know for an effective treatment come from…

The Art of Listening: Clinical Mistakes with Dr. Chad Duplantis on Dental Fuel

By Chad Duplantis, D.D.S, F.A.G.D | October 16, 2024

Host: Dr. Tanya Sue MaestasGuest:  Dr. Chad DuplantisEdited By: Candy Velez CRDH In this episode of Dental Fuel, our host, Dr. Tanya-Sue Maestas, sits down with Dr. Chad Duplantis, a seasoned restorative dentist based in Fort Worth, Texas. With decades of experience and a passion for technology in dentistry, Dr. Duplantis shares invaluable insights for…

Building Self-Esteem & Long-Term Commitment: How to Show Appreciation to Your Dental Team 

By Dawn Patrick | October 14, 2024

By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Coach + Director of Operations, IgniteDDS  In any dental practice, the team is its core. When they feel appreciated, their self-esteem rises, confidence grows, and they’re more likely to stay long-term. Showing consistent and genuine appreciation is not just a gesture—it’s an ongoing strategy to build a committed, high-performing team. This…

A Challenging Hybrid Overdenture Case

By Dr. Lee Ann Brady | October 11, 2024

By: Dr. Lee Ann Brady, DMDThis topic originally appeared on Pankey.org. Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Dentistry is a life-learning career, and everyone encounters some cases through their career that challenge their clinical skills. That’s a positive thing, it motivates us to explore more and advance our skills further,…

When to Change Financial Advisors

By Todd Doobrow, CFP | October 9, 2024

By: Todd Doobrow, CFP Break-ups are rarely ever fun but are often necessary to help us keep moving forward.  Whether firing a difficult patient or moving on from a significant other, closing one door hopefully leads to another opening. This is no different when thinking about your relationship with your financial advisor. As your needs…