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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Fee Negotiation Myths That Keep Dentists Underpaid

By Angela Holland | November 24, 2025

By: Angela Holland, Founder of Preferred Dental SolutionsInsurance Expert and Strategy Consultant for Dental PracticesPreferredDentalSolutions.com There’s a long-standing myth in dentistry that PPO fees are fixed. That’s what you’re paid and it’s what you’re stuck with. Let me be clear: that’s simply not true. Every week, we help dental practices negotiate substantial increases, sometimes 20%,…

Digital Dentistry Workflow: Superior Esthetics and Functionality

By John Cranham, DDS | November 24, 2025

By: John C. Cranham, DDS This article originally appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Cranham granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Managing complex esthetic and functional dental cases requires precision, efficiency, and a thorough understanding of occlusion. Traditional analog workflows have served dentistry well, but digital workflows now allow for greater accuracy, predictability, and efficiency….

From Clinician To CEO: Part 2

By David Rice | November 24, 2025

Part 2. Systems Control – Turning Chaos Into Consistency By: Dr. David Rice When a dentist shares they’d like more money and more time off, my first thought is, of course. My second thought is what I know they’re really after: freedom. When most new practice owners feel overwhelmed, it’s rarely because they’re bad at…

How to Actually Unplug This Holiday Season & Why You Should

By Sable Muntean | November 17, 2025

By: Dr. Sable Muntean The holidays are supposed to be the season of peace, rest, and connection, yet for many dental professionals, it ends up being one of the most stressful times of the year. Schedules fill up, year-end production goals loom, and even when the office finally closes for a few days, your mind…

Selling To a DSO: Yes or No?!?

By Todd Doobrow, CFP | November 17, 2025

By: Todd Doobrow, CFP As the dental industry evolves, many independent dentists are considering selling their practices to Dental Support Organizations (DSOs). DSOs offer management and administrative support, allowing dentists to focus more on clinical care. However, while this option can be appealing, it’s not without its drawbacks.  Below is a balanced look at the…

Detecting and Managing Pressure Root Resorption Early

By Dr. Lee Ann Brady | November 17, 2025

By: Lee Ann Brady, DMDThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Brady granted igniteDDS permission to share with our readers. Root resorption is a phenomenon that takes on various forms, each with unique implications for the long-term health of a tooth. Among these, pressure root resorption stands out as a common type. This occurs when…

The Freedom Framework Week One: Breaking the Invisible Handcuffs

By Candy Velez - CRDH, BSDH | November 17, 2025

Awareness: Seeing What Restricts Your Growth and Steals Your Energy By: Candy Velez – CRDH, BSDH Welcome to The Freedom Framework, a three-part mini coaching series from igniteDDS Coaching. This series is designed to help you move from frustration to freedom. Each week introduces a focused lesson, supported by a downloadable workbook that turns awareness…

Why You’ll Struggle Getting Patency 

By Michael Eid | November 10, 2025

The hardest part of doing a root canal, in my opinion, is achieving patency. Once I get patency, I find endo relatively straightforward (for the most part). Getting patency is about learning how the canal feels, staying patient, and figuring out what the tooth is telling you. Here’s what I wish I knew when I…

Season of Thanks: Small Gestures That Make a Big Impact on Your Team and Patients

By Sable Muntean | November 10, 2025

By: Dr. Sable Muntean As the year winds down and the holiday season begins, dental offices everywhere are running at full speed—wrapping up treatment plans, finalizing insurance claims, and trying to squeeze in last-minute appointments before the year’s end. Amid all the chaos, November is the perfect reminder to slow down, take a breath, and…

6 Valuable Lessons Your DSO Can Learn from Dental Schools

By David Rice | November 10, 2025

By: A-decThis topic originally appeared on A-dec.com. They granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. When it comes to choosing dental equipment, Dental Service Organizations and dental schools have a lot in common. Just like a DSO, a dental school has a budget to consider, a clear procurement process, and a focus on…