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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Sedation Dentistry in a General Dental Practice 

By Savanah Craig | January 2, 2024

By: Savannah Craig In a world full of dental phobia, sedation has become an increasingly popular option for dentists to offer their patients. There are many options for types of sedation that can be offered to patients, and each is carefully regulated by state dental boards. I hope to educate patients about what options are…

Vertical Dimension Confusion

By Dr. Leonard Hess, DDS | December 29, 2023

By: Dr. Leonard A. Hess, DDSClinical Director, The Dawson Academy There is no topic more confusing and more provoking than changing vertical dimension of occlusion. The reason is that every dentist has seen cases where it did not go very well, for the patient or the dentist. Broken crowns, chipped incisal edges, new TMJ issues,…

Unmasking the Middle of Dentistry: Advice from Dr. Pamela Maragliano-Muniz

By Dr. Pamela Maragliano-Muniz | December 27, 2023

Interviewer: Tanya Sue Maestas, DDSInterviewee: Dr. Pamela Maragliano-MunizEdited By: Candy Velez – CRDH, BSDH We had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Pamela Maragliano-Muniz, a renowned dentist and educator. Throughout our conversation, Dr. Maragliano-Muniz shared valuable insights and advice for dentists at all stages of their careers. In this article, we will explore the key…

Embracing Clinical Mistakes, Excellence, and Growth in the Dental World with Dr. Pamela Maragliano-Muniz

By Dr. Pamela Maragliano-Muniz | December 26, 2023

Interviewer: Tanya Sue Maestas, DDSInterviewee: Dr. Pamela Maragliano-MunizEdited By: Candy Velez – CRDH, BSDH We had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Pamela Maragliano-Muniz, a board-certified prosthodontist with a dental practice located in Salem, Massachusetts  Dr. Maragliano-Muniz shares her journey from dental hygiene to prosthodontics and discusses the clinical mistakes she has made and how…

Help! My Dental Assistant Talks Too Much

By Ronda Holman | December 22, 2023

Talking too much can inadvertently cause discomfort to some patients and the schedule.Embrace the challenge of becoming a better listener. By: Ronda Holman Hi dear reader, my name is Ronda Holman and I have been sitting across from a dentist for a living for the last 25 years. I thought it might be time to…

Why Staying An Associate Is A Big Financial Loss

By David Rice | December 19, 2023

In the realm of personal finance, understanding the nuances of take-home pay is crucial for individuals striving to maximize their earnings, manage their financial well-being, and avoid a big financial loss. By: Dr. David Rice This article delves into the significant differences between the take-home pay of a W-2 employed dental associate earning $200,000 annually…

So You’ve Been Waitlisted, Now What?

By Dr. Bri Torgerson | December 18, 2023

“The reality is, that not everyone will get into dental school, some will be waitlisted,but that doesn’t mean it will NEVER happen.” By: Dr. Bri Torgerson Hi friends! I’m Dr. Bri Torgerson and I’m a General Dentist living and practicing in Saint Louis, Missouri. I’ve had a pretty unique journey into, through, and after graduating dental…

Splint Therapy: Time Is On Our Side

By Dr. Will Kelly | December 15, 2023

By: Will Kelly DMDArticle Originally Appeared on PankeyGram.org My experience with splint therapy was like most dentists prior to developing the skills taught at Pankey. In fact, my appliance was not really therapy at all. Perhaps just a shot in the dark “helmet” that protected teeth against collisions with very little intention. Throughout the years…

5 Red Flags that Prevent New Dentists from Getting their First Practice Loan

By David Rice | December 13, 2023

Navigating Your Path to Practice: Most Common Red Flags that Prevent New Dentists from Getting their First Practice Loan By: Dr. David Rice You woke up today, and you’ve decided you’re finally ready to trade your associate handpiece for your owner handpiece! The key now is to make sure you’re the strongest borrower you can…

A Dentist’s Insight into Oil Pulling and Contemporary Dentistry

By David Rice | December 11, 2023

Navigating the Buzz: A Dentist’s Take on Contemporary Dentistry & Oil Pulling By: Dr. David Rice  It’s not uncommon for us to encounter TikTok trends that capture public attention. Lately, one such topic that has resurfaced and re-sparked interest is oil pulling—an ancient tradition with wild claims of modern-day oral health benefits. As professionals dedicated…