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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The PPO Trap for Startups & Acquisitions: Moving into Ownership in 2026? This Is for You!

By Angela Holland | December 22, 2025

By: Angela Holland, Founder of Preferred Dental SolutionsInsurance Expert and Strategy Consultant for Dental PracticesPreferredDentalSolutions.com Insurance Decisions That Can Make or Break New Dental Practices If you’re launching or buying a dental practice, insurance decisions can make or break your first three years. Too many new owners sign onto every PPO “just to get patients…

Keeping Gingival Crevice Healthy

By David Rice | December 22, 2025

By: Pankey GramTopic Originally appeared on PankeyGram.org Gingival crevice is the space between the marginal gingiva and the tooth surface. Keeping it healthy, means knowing effective tooth preparation techniques that don’t block the passage of gingival crevice fluid with restoration materials. Many soft tissue inflammation, like gingivitis and periodontitis can occur as a result of…

The Practice Profitability Playbook: Part 3

By Dawn Patrick | December 22, 2025

Part 3: Clinical Control — Diagnose with Confidence, Present with Clarity By: Dawn Patrick, Business Strategy Coach, IgniteDDS Even the most profitable practice can struggle if patients don’t accept treatment consistently. Clinical Control ensures that your team delivers excellent care and communicates it effectively, so patients understand the value and say yes to recommended treatment….

How to Stay Sane During December’s Patient Rush: A Dentist’s Guide to Balance

By Sable Muntean | December 15, 2025

By: Dr. Sable Muntean December is a special kind of chaos for dental professionals. It’s the perfect storm: patients trying to use the last of their insurance benefits, parents squeezing in appointments before school break, and an endless stream of “Can you fit me in before the holidays?” messages. The pressure hits fast, and hard….

Smart Tax Moves to Make Before Year-End

By Todd Doobrow, CFP | December 15, 2025

By: Todd Doobrow, CFP As the calendar winds down, now is the time to take proactive steps that can lower your 2025 tax bill and set you up for success in 2026. Here are a few key strategies to consider before December 31: Maximize Retirement Contributions Boost your savings and reduce taxable income by contributing…

Evaluating Crown Integrity After Endodontic Access Preparation

By Dr. Lee Ann Brady | December 15, 2025

By: Lee Ann Brady, DMDThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Brady granted igniteDDS permission to share with our readers. When a patient requires a root canal treatment through an existing dental crown, how do you approach the conversation? Setting clear, realistic patient expectations is essential to maintaining trust and satisfaction. Here’s how I address…

From Clinician to CEO: Part 3

By David Rice | December 15, 2025

Financial Control: Profit With Purpose By: Dr. David Rice Most dentists don’t hate numbers … they just hate not knowing what they mean … and that sadly translates into pretending they don’t exist. If you want to know how to lead your practice … and life by the numbers … keep reading because it turns out…

Endo Made Simple Part 2: Shaping, Cleaning, & Irrigation

By Michael Eid | December 8, 2025

By: Michael Eid Missed Endo Made Simple Part 1? Check it out first here. Once the canals are open and a size 10 can glide, you’re ready to start shaping. This phase is all about control, patency, and avoiding iatrogenic trauma. Step 1: Confirm Working Length 🦷 High-Yield Tip: WL mistakes snowball into overfills, underfills,…

The Art of Saying “No” Without Guilt During the Busiest Time of Year

By Sable Muntean | December 8, 2025

By: Dr. Sable Muntean The holiday season can feel like a perfect storm for dental professionals. Schedules are packed, patients are trying to use up benefits, team members need time off, and family obligations stack up faster than you can keep track. Every request feels urgent. Every “yes” seems like the right thing to do….

Credentialing Isn’t Paperwork, It’s Strategy

By Angela Holland | December 8, 2025

Start-ups & Acquisitions in 2026, this is a must read! By: Angela Holland, Founder of Preferred Dental SolutionsInsurance Expert and Strategy Consultant for Dental PracticesPreferredDentalSolutions.com Too often, dental credentialing is treated as a checklist task, paperwork to be processed, boxes to be ticked, and forms to be faxed. But let’s be honest: credentialing is the…