Dr. James Blake

Dr. James M. Blake is the owner and principal dentist at James M Blake, DDS, PC, where he has been creating beautiful, healthy smiles for nearly four decades. With a practice philosophy centered on combining careful examination, diagnostics, planning, patient education, and treatment to achieve gratifying restorative results, Dr. Blake has built his reputation on delivering exceptional dental care with a personal touch.

Education and Training

Dr. Blake's educational journey began at Canisius College, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biology in 1981, complemented by minors in English, Anthropology, and Psychology. He continued his dental education at SUNY Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree in 1985. Following graduation, he completed a General Practice Residency at Millard Fillmore Hospital in 1986, where his professional and personal paths would intersect in the most serendipitous way.

A Life-Changing Decision

One of the most significant moments in Dr. Blake's life came in 1985 when he faced a pivotal career decision. Though accepted into the U.S. Air Force to pursue a combined degree in Oral Surgery and Medicine, his instincts led him instead to accept his residency at Buffalo's Millard Fillmore Hospital. This decision proved fortuitous in ways he never could have imagined. It was there he met his wife of 39 years, the former Barbara Malady, BSN. In a delightful twist of fate, Barbara turned out to be the sister of one of his high school classmates. Together, they have raised four children and built a life centered on family, faith, and service to their community.

Professional Journey

Dr. Blake entered the dental field in 1986, initially working as an associate in several private practices. This experience provided valuable insights into practice management and patient care, helping him identify both what he appreciated and what he wanted to improve upon in dental practice operations. In 1990, driven by his vision for modern, patient-centered care, Dr. Blake opened his own practice from the ground up, emphasizing state-of-the-art equipment and contemporary dental practices.

His path to dentistry was far from predetermined. Upon graduating from Canisius High School, Dr. Blake faced an enviable array of opportunities: a full academic scholarship to Cornell University for Architecture, a full tuition scholarship to Cooper Union for Art, and acceptance into Case Western Reserve University's combined six-year pre-med/Dentistry program. Ultimately, choosing an unlimited full tuition scholarship to Canisius College, he used this opportunity to explore his diverse interests before settling on dentistry. This field uniquely combines his passions for artistic creativity, complex design work, and medical practice.

Beyond the Practice

Dr. Blake's commitment to education extends beyond patient care. For the past 16 years, he has served as an instructor for third and fourth-year students at his alma mater, SUNY Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, sharing his expertise with the next generation of dental professionals.

His dedication to community service is equally impressive. Together with his wife, Dr. Blake has volunteered for over 30 years at Saints Peter and Paul Grade School and the Roman Catholic Church. He also devoted 14 years to coaching youth amateur hockey, demonstrating his commitment to mentoring young people both within and outside the dental field.

Personal Interests

When not practicing dentistry or teaching, Dr. Blake pursues his passion for destination fishing with remarkable enthusiasm. He is a veteran of numerous remote fly-in fishing expeditions north of the Arctic Circle, deep-sea fishing adventures off the Florida coast, and charter salmon fishing on Lake Ontario. His adventurous spirit continues unabated, with an exciting trip planned for November to fish for Striped Marlin off Baja California.

Dr. Blake also enjoys more traditional outdoor pursuits, including snow skiing and gardening, activities that provide him with relaxation and connection to nature.