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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Embracing Change & Innovation in Dentistry: Insights from Dr. Naved Fatmi

By Dr. Naved Fatmi | August 21, 2024

Host: Dr. Tanya Sue MaestasGuest: Dr. Naved FatmiEdited By: Candy Velez CRDH The Entrepreneurial Dentist: Thinking Beyond the Chair Traditionally seen through the clinical lens, dentistry has transformed significantly with the advent of business-oriented models. Dr. Naved Fatmi’s journey exemplifies this shift. Starting with the ambitious goal of owning multiple practices, he quickly realized that…

What If Saliva Were Red?

By David Rice | August 19, 2024

By: Dr. David Rice What If Saliva Were Red? Do you remember that video from school? Depending on when you graduated, it will likely hit you differently. I was a 90’s grad so the whole Hepatitis, HIV was top of mind and made it stick with me. I’m guessing if you graduated in the last…

Prioritizing Value for Ideal Shade Matching with Composites 

By Dr. Lee Ann Brady | August 16, 2024

By: Lee Ann Brady DMDThis topic originally appeared on Pankey.org: Dr. Brady allowed permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Determine Value Before Chroma and Hue Shade matching is one of the biggest challenges for dentists when it comes to composite restoration. It requires a great knowledge of color science and playing with enamel…

Leading with Empathy & Setting Standards: Insights from Irene Iancu RRDH

By Irene Iancu | August 14, 2024

Host: Dr. Tanya Sue MaestasGuest: Irene Iancu RRDHEdited By: Candy Velez CRDH In a recent enlightening interview, Tanya Sue Maestas sits down with Irene Iancu to peel back the layers of her professional journey. In this episode, Irene shares invaluable leadership insights applicable across all professional landscapes. In our ever-changing world, Irene’s open-hearted conversation illuminates…

Navigating Post-Graduation: Strategies for Preventing Burnout in Dentistry

By Savanah Craig | August 12, 2024

The journey beyond graduation can be fraught with challenges and pressures, such as burnout, especially for young professionals like Dr. Savanah Craig and Dr. Ronnetta Sartor. In their conversation, they tackle the crucial topic of burnout in dentistry—a pervasive issue facing many in their field. Sharing their personal experiences and proactive measures highlights the importance…

HPV and Oral Cancer: Early Detection and Prevention

By Dr. Lee Ann Brady | August 9, 2024

By: Lee Ann Brady DMDThis topic originally appeared on Pankey.org. Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that can cause cancer later in life. Infection with this virus is very common, and almost everyone with get this virus at some point in life.  Most of…

The Crucial Role of Psychology in Financial Planning

By Todd Doobrow, CFP | August 7, 2024

By: Todd Doobrow, CFP Financial planning isn’t just about numbers and spreadsheets; it’s equally about understanding how human behaviors influence our financial decisions. Psychology plays a pivotal role in shaping how individuals perceive, prioritize, and manage their finances, ultimately impacting their financial well-being and long-term goals. We this play out in six different ways; how…

Lessons I Learned in My First Year of Dentistry

By Savanah Craig | August 5, 2024

By: Dr. Savanah Craig Each year feels like it moves faster than the one before it. In the blink of an eye, 52 weeks have passed and it can be easy to miss how far you have come – unless you take the time to reflect. This year has been the first year of my…

Tongue Ties, Restricted Fascia, and Mouth Breathing

By Dr. Soroush Zaghi, MD | August 2, 2024

By: Dr. Soroush Zaghi, MDThis topic originally appeared on TheDawsonAcademy.com. Dr. Zaghi granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. The consequences of tongue ties, restricted fascia, and mouth breathing, are explained by a leading expert, physician, and researcher in nasal obstruction, snoring, and sleep-disordered breathing. Conversation with Dr. Zaghi on Tongue Ties, Restricted…

Ready or Not: How to Know When It’s Time to Buy a Dental Practice 

By Dr. Hannah Crowell | July 31, 2024

By: Dr. Hannah Crowell Buying a dental practice is a significant milestone in your career as a dentist. It represents not only a financial investment but also a commitment to managing a business and caring for a patient base. Deciding when you’re ready to take this step requires careful consideration of several key factors. 7…