About Dr. Barnes
Dr. Barnes believes every patient deserves a straightforward account of their oral health and every reasonable way to treat it. She lays out the options in plain language, answers questions without hedging, and makes sure the trade-offs are clear before anything is decided — because the final call always belongs to the patient.
Clinical standards guide her work, but she is quick to point out that no two patients, cases, or teeth are truly alike. The part of dentistry she enjoys most is finding the patient-specific answer: a plan shaped around a person's health history, priorities, comfort level, and goals rather than a formula.
She also knows that plenty of people arrive at the dentist carrying some anxiety, and she never treats that as an inconvenience. For her, trust starts at the first visit — open communication, expectations set plainly up front, and steady check-ins as care moves along. She has completed additional training in sedation therapies, and when appropriate she can talk through the comfort options available based on a patient's health and treatment needs.
The cases that energize her are the ones that demand careful diagnosis and hands-on problem-solving — particularly demanding surgical and endodontic work, where treatment can relieve pain and restore real function. Root canal treatment, extractions and oral surgery, implant dentistry, and bone remodeling and grafting all sit among her clinical interests, supported by honors-level oral and maxillofacial surgery training, her surgical-assisting experience, and continuing coursework in implants, grafting, platelet-rich fibrin, advanced life support, and sedation-related topics.
Her path into dentistry started chairside: she worked first as a registered dental assistant and then as lead surgical assistant to oral surgeon Dr. Carlos J. Villarreal, whose mentorship pushed her toward dental school. Watching patients place their trust in a dental team — and seeing what skilled, compassionate care could do with that trust — is what drew her to the profession. She went on to earn her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from The University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston.
Along the way she has taught, contributed to research, and taken on leadership roles in dental mission work and student organizations — experience that gives her a practical understanding of the whole patient journey and of the teamwork behind excellent care.
“My goal is to explain every option clearly, earn your trust, and help you make the decision that is right for you.”
Clinical interests
- Restorative and comprehensive general dentistry
- Extractions and other surgical procedures
- Bone remodeling and grafting
- Dental implant placement
- Root canal treatment
- Anxiety-conscious treatment and appropriate sedation options
What patients can expect
- An honest discussion of your oral health
- A clear explanation of treatment options
- Respect for your questions, preferences, and decisions
- Gentle care delivered with attention to successful outcomes
- A plan tailored to you rather than a generic recipe
Outside the office
Outside dentistry, Dr. Barnes enjoys reading about physics, philosophy, poetry, and science fiction. She spends time with her three cats — Morty, Lenore, and Korin — and explores nature, food, culture, and history through hiking, picnics, and travel.
Education & professional background
- Doctor of Dental Surgery, The University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston (2021)
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Honors Program
- Two years in the Academic Dental Career Fellowship Program
- Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society
- Advanced continuing education in implants, bone grafting, platelet-rich fibrin, ACLS, and sedation-related topics
- Former registered dental assistant and lead surgical assistant
- Fluent in English and Spanish
Request a visit
New and returning patients can request an appointment by calling (303) 343-7072 or using our contact page.