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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Common Dental Myth: Charcoal Toothpaste

By Dr. Bri Torgerson | November 13, 2023

By: Dr. Bri Torgerson Hi there! My name is Dr. Bri Torgerson and I am a General Dentist practicing out of St. Louis,  Missouri. I graduated in the really fascinating year of 2020 from The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of the University of Southern California. I have worked in Scottsdale, AZ, Fort Lauderdale, FL,…

An Occlusion-Focused Hygiene Exam

By Dr. Bill Gregg, DDS | November 10, 2023

By: Dr. Bill Gregg DDSTopic Originally Appeared on PankeyGram.org During an occlusion-focused hygiene exam, there are certain things the hygienist should pinpoint. This will help them develop a deeper relationship with the patient as well. A Hygiene + Occlusion Exam What the hygienist should look for: The Hygienist Role in a Hygiene + Occlusion Exam…

Why Study Occlusion?

By Kevin Muench | November 7, 2023

By: Kevin Muench DMD, MAGDTopic Originally Appeared on PankeyGram.com I’m a restorative dentist with a passion for occlusion. I’m a firm believer that our patients deserve our best efforts to eliminate deleterious stomatognathic forces that impact comfort, function, smile aesthetics, and whole health. So, I encourage all dentists to wrap their minds around the area…

How Residency Can Lead You Toward Your Self-Determined Future 

By Savanah Craig | November 6, 2023

By: Savannah Craig At IgniteDDS we’ve built a belief that to be in control of your life and your destiny you must have systems and procedures in place to give you control over 3 big things in your life and practice. Those three things are People, Process, and Production. If you can take control of…

Dental Practice Ownership: Critical Mistakes New Dentists Make with Jonathan Miller

By Tanya Sue Maestas, DDS | October 31, 2023

Interviewer: Tanya Sue Maestas, DDSInterviewee: Jonathan MillerEdited By: Candy Velez – CRDH, BSDH In this article, Jonathan Miller shares valuable insights into the critical mistakes he has observed dentists make and provides guidance on navigating the startup and acquisition process. Mistake 1: Not Understanding the Importance of Where to Start One common mistake dentists make is…

Don’t Let The “What Ifs” Deter You From Success In Your Dental Career

By Dr. Hannah Crowell | October 25, 2023

By: Hannah Crowell Why is it so hard to commit to or even consider buying a dental practice? It boils down to fear. Fear of failure and all the negative “What ifs?”  Negative “What Ifs” to Avoid What if I can’t handle the stress? Dental school and those first few years out in the real…

Dental Admission Test (DAT): Tips to Prepare

By Dr. Bri Torgerson | October 23, 2023

By: Dr. Bri Torgerson Hi friends! My name is Dr. Bri Torgerson and I am a General Dentist currently working in St.  Louis, Missouri. I have written some advice on applying to dental school, what to do when you graduate, and finding an associate position right for you, but I wanted to dive into something…

Dr. Sable Muntean Appointed as Chief Editor of Get Lit Newsletter

By David Rice | October 20, 2023

Get Lit Newsletter Welcomes Dr. Sable Muntean as Chief EditorIgniting Success for New Dentists with Enhanced Content and Expanded Reach [St. Petersburg, FL] – Get Lit Newsletter, the go-to resource for new dentists seeking success in their careers, is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Sable Muntean as its Chief Editor. As a young…

Occlusal Wear: Is It Advancing? How Fast?

By Dr. Lee Ann Brady | October 17, 2023

By: Lee Ann Brady DMD I ask the question “Is wear normal?” at almost every lecture I do on occlusion. Usually, the response is a small number of mumbled replies. A good follow-up question is “How many eighty-five-year-old patients have you seen with mamelons?” I hope you are thinking not many if any at all….

Dental Startups vs. Practice Acquisition: Making the Right Decision

By Tanya Sue Maestas, DDS | October 16, 2023

Interviewer: Tanya Sue Maestas, DDSInterviewee: Jonathan MillerEdited By: Candy Velez – CRDH, BSDH As a dental professional, the decision to start your own practice or acquire an existing practice is a crucial one. Both options have their pros and cons, and it ultimately depends on your personal goals and vision for your dental career. In…